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Extensive damage caused by the war to education, research, agricultural markets, and neighboring states

A special working session of the IAMO Forum 2022 focused on the effects of the Russian attack on Ukraine. Four experts presented insights on the situation of education and the state of agriculture in Ukraine and also highlighted the impact on the neighboring regions of Central Asia and Moldova. All of the contributions illustrated how the war is causing great damage. The consequences reach far beyond Ukraine. At the same time, people in Ukraine have developed strategies to maintain education and agricultural production as best as they can.

Oleh Skydan (Rector of Polissia National University, Ukraine) emphasized that 640 preschool institutions and 118 schools were destroyed by the aggression and nearly 1000 others were damaged. Many schools and universities use various digital platforms and tools to maintain education.

Mariia Bogonos (Centre for Food and Land Use Research at the Kyiv School of Economics, KSE C4FLUR) estimates that agricultural damage now totals US$28 billion. This estimate includes fields not tilled or harvested, price drops due to lack of export opportunities, and other losses. At the same time, logistics costs have increased by over 50%.

The war affects neighboring countries such as Moldova as well as in Central Asia, among others, through decreasing remittances from migrants, declining demand for imports, and rising prices for energy. Alexandru Stratan (Akademy for Economic Studies, Republic of Moldova) emphasizes that the Republic of Moldova currently has the highest inflation rates in Europe. Roman Mogilevskii (University of Central Asia, Bishkek) points out that the geographical location of the countries of Central Asia makes it difficult for them to tap other export markets. Exports to China have been relatively low.

The working session was held in cooperation with the German-Ukrainian Agricultural Policy Dialogue and was attended by about 200 participants. IAMO continues to show solidarity with the scientists and project partners in Ukraine. For the many planned activities of IAMO with Ukrainian partners, the institute wishes and hopes for free and peaceful conditions.


Contact

Prof. Dr. Thomas Herzfeld

Prof. Dr. Thomas Herzfeld

Director of IAMO
Head of Department Agricultural Policy
Room: 117

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