Animal Agriculture in Ukraine Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Animal Agriculture in Ukraine - Essay Example Since independence, Ukraine’s animal agricultural policy seeks to address key issues such as; food security, the development of rural areas and international competitiveness with the poultry, beef and pig sectors being the most protected. Poultry farming, pig farming, Animal Feed production, Cattle farming and Bio Energy production constitute the key animal agricultural sectors in Ukraine. The country’s agricultural sector remains a key economic determinant; although the sector’s total output collapsed by 40% between the years 1990 and 2010, (USUBC, 2008). The period also saw the reallocation of resources as a result of comparative advantage with the share of grains in production growing at the expense of livestock. Statistics indicate that, between the years 1990 and 2008, livestock output suffered extensively with the production falling by 50% compared to only 25% for grain production, (USUBC, 2008). It is further predicted that the sector will further contract by 18% in the projection period from 2010 to 2018. Besides, the country’s Foreign Direct investment in Animal agriculture continues to lag behind other countries as a result of its structure and regulatory framework. It is estimated that FDI in animal agriculture fell from over 21% in 1990 to just 5% in 2002. Generally, an estimated 13% of Ukraine’s total land area constitutes permanent pasture land. A 2001 statistic indicate that there were 9.4 million head of cattle, 963,000 sheep, 7.6 million pigs, 912,000 goats, 20 million ducks and 103 million chickens,(OECD 2004). Poultry numbers increased by 9% between the years 2004 and 2006 while the number of pigs 25%. However, the number of cattle decreased by 11% within the same period. Turkeys, goats, Horses, rabbits and ducks are also bred and raised in the country, (USUBC, 2008). Meat production is a key component of the country’s animal agricultural sector with a 2001 statistic indicating that 646,000, 591,000 and 239,000 tons of beef, pork and poultry meat respectively were produced within the year much less than the 1, 986,000, 1, 576,000 and 239,000 tons of the same products in 1990. Milk and egg production are also key segments within Ukraine’s animal agricultural sector. In 2001, milk and egg production totaled t o 13.4 million and 546,000 tons respectively, (USUBC, 2008). In addition to animal rearing, Animal food production is also a key component of the country’s animal agriculture. Most feed production is for poultry estimated at 2.2 million tones in 2006 while pig and cattle feeds accounted for 850 and 650 tones respectively,(OECD 2004). Animal food production is however highly centralized, with an estimated 30 companies producing half of all feed. Furthermore, the country’s largest producers manufacture nearly all major types of feeds although the tendency to produce feeds for personal needs by farmers has also increased. This has can be attributed to the desire to save cost and to practice contemporary animal breeding techniques within their own farms,(OECD 2004). Changing Trend Although Ukraine has done considerably well in the animal agricultural sector, its full potential is yet to be realized. In beef farming for example, the cattle heard in 2009 was found to be almo st 88% below that of independence in 1991. Beef remains the largest meat sector with 900, 000 tones production in 2008. This is followed by pig meat and Poultry meat at 700,000 and 30, 000 tones