Before the full-scale war, Vadym and his business partner ran a successful agricultural enterprise in Luhansk region. The farm had modern machinery, production facilities and warehouses, and cultivated large areas of land.
On February 24, 2022, everything changed. The enterprise was occupied, and all its assets were left in the occupied territory. The family lost six combine harvesters with headers, tractors, trucks, trailers, tillage equipment, passenger vehicles, warehouses, and production and administrative facilities. The 2021 sunflower harvest was also left behind, along with the funds invested in sowing winter wheat.
Vadym was not ready to give up on the work he had devoted many years to. In 2023, he established a new agricultural enterprise and started almost from scratch. He leased farmland that had been left uncultivated during the war and gradually began rebuilding the farm, step by step.
Vadym heard about the Mercy Corps Ukraine grant program, funded by the Howard G. Buffett Foundation, from an acquaintance. At first, he was skeptical and in no hurry to apply. But eventually, he decided to give it a try. After successfully completing the selection process, the farm received a grant and purchased a NEW HOLLAND CX 6.90 combine harvester.
The new combine harvester proved to be a real lifeline. Thanks to it, the farm was able to start the harvest on time, and today the machine is in the field every day. In addition to meeting its own needs, the farm helps other farmers and smallholders from nearby villages harvest their crops. This is not only a way to support the local community but also an additional source of income that is reinvested in the development of the farm.
Today, the enterprise cultivates more than 1,200 hectares of land in Odesa region. The fields are spread over a large area, so organizing the work would be very difficult without reliable, modern machinery.
Vadym says he always follows a simple rule:
“Quality matters more than quantity. It is quality that leads to real success.”
In 2026, the farm is growing winter wheat, winter barley, corn, and sunflower. The early grain harvest has been good this year, but farmers are facing another challenge — selling their produce is not easy. Low purchase prices and difficulties with exports mean they have to find ways to store the harvest and wait for a better price.
The farm reliably pays rent to land-share owners, provides jobs for local residents, and plans to expand its team by bringing in young professionals.
In a short time, Vadym has earned the respect of the local community. He stays in close contact with the village head, supports the local school and kindergarten, and helps address the community’s needs. The farm has already contributed to the construction of a sports ground and regularly provides building materials and machinery.
“Very respectful and decent person. He is always willing to help, even without being asked. Today, for example, he brought building materials to the school and helped unload them when he saw that only women were doing the work,” says the school principal.
After the harvest, the farm plans to plant cover crops. Vadym is also gradually introducing modern energy-efficient soil management practices and exploring the possibility of switching to a no-till system. If weather conditions are favorable, he plans to expand the cultivated area next season and add winter rapeseed and winter peas to the crop rotation.
Vadym speaks candidly about his participation in the Mercy Corps program:
“This grant support restored my faith in people. At first, I wasn’t sure that such a program really worked. But after my first meeting with representatives of FUND LASKA, I began to trust the program. Today, I am sincerely grateful for the opportunity to rebuild my farm and continue developing the work I love.”
LASKA FUND implements the program in Mykolaiv, Kherson, and Odesa regions.
Submit an application: https://uasp.mercycorps.org
LASKA FUND Hotline: 067 137 05 05
