As Ukraine continues to face the consequences of ongoing war, the land that once provided food and livelihoods for local populations has become riddled with explosive ordnance. In the region of Mykolaiv, a crucial agricultural hub, these hidden dangers threaten both the safety of civilians and the nation’s food security. DCA/NCA, through its humanitarian mine action program, is tackling this urgent issue head-on. Supported by the European Union (EU), the project is focused on clearing land of explosive remnants of war from agricultural land, making it safe once again for cultivation.
DCA/NCA’s efforts are essential not only for safeguarding the lives of local farmers but also for ensuring that Ukraine’s agricultural sector can recover and thrive. The conflict has left thousands of hectares of farmland contaminated with landmines, unexploded ordnance, and other deadly remnants of war. Without the systematic clearance of these hazards, farmers cannot return to work, and food production remains at a standstill.
By enabling farmers to return to their fields, DCA/NCA’s work is helping to rebuild agricultural production in the region, contributing to both local livelihoods and national food supplies. Moreover, the safety measures put in place by non-technical survey teams ensure that these reclaimed areas are safe for long-term use, preventing future incidents and securing the well-being of the local population.
With the support of the EU, the project is making tangible progress in restoring both safety and hope to the people of Mykolaiv and Kherson.
Deminers during clearance of a field in Mykolaiv Oblast. The 355,000 m2 field was previously used for agriculture. Since 2022, the field has, however, not been utilized.Mykolaiv and the surrounding regions are home to some of the most fertile land in Ukraine, making it vital for national food production. The clearance of landmines and other explosive ordnance is a necessary step in securing access to this critical resource.The process of clearing the land and then releasing it to the owner is done by searching every single square meter for unexploded ordnance.If metal is detected in the ground, it is necessary to excavate the ground around it to identify the object. If the object is an unexploded ordnance, the area around the object is marked and the ordnance is removed by the State Emergency Services of Ukraine.A medical team is always present at a clearance site.A key aspect of DCA/NCA’s work is the deployment of non-technical survey (NTS) teams to identify and map hazardous areas. These teams, through interviews with local communities and analysis of previous conflict activity, gather essential information to locate areas contaminated with explosive ordnance. Once identified, these hazardous zones are cordoned off, preventing access and ensuring the protection of civilians.An explosive ordnance found in Tiahynka Hromada, Kherson Oblast.NTS engaging with the head of the Tiahynka Hromada in Kherson Oblast. The hromada is facing frequent shelling. The NTS teams are conducting in areas of the hromada that are 20km or further away from the frontline.Before clearing land in Mykolaiv Oblast, the deminers are going through a comprehensive training at the DCA/NCA Mine Action Training centre in Mykolaiv.Deminer Anastasiia says: “The work in a humanitarian organization for me is not just a source of income or career growth, it is a way of life that gives me the opportunity to make the world a little better.”
