Restoration of the Agricultural Sector in Ukraine. Innovation and Investment for Food Security and Sustainable Development

The Russian Federation's military aggression against Ukraine has complex and damaging effects on Ukrainian society and the national economy, including agriculture. The ongoing war has considerably negatively impacted the Ukrainian agricultural sector, which is crucial for the country in terms of employment, production, and foreign trade, especially exports, international competitiveness, and the achievement of national sustainable development goals. The war has disrupted the sustainability of agri-food value chains, investment allocation, research and development infrastructure, scientific human potential, innovation progress, and related spheres. Moreover, it has had repercussions for international food security.

Rebuilding and strengthening Ukraine's agricultural sector in the post-war period presents a major challenge for both Ukraine and the international community. This monograph, authored by scholars from Ukraine and Poland, assesses the current state of Ukrainian agriculture and its prerequisites, particularly in terms of innovativeness. It also explores priorities and strategies for developing a more innovative, efficient, and competitive agricultural sector. The authors consider the nation's international positions according to various performance indicators, including the Transitions Performance Index, the Global Innovation Index, the World Digital Competitiveness Rankings, the Global Talent Competitiveness Index, the Global Waste Index, and the Global Food Security Index. They also emphasize the importance of institutions, such as property rights and formal and informal rules, alongside national and European Union policies and enhanced EU-Ukraine cooperation as key drivers of progress in agriculture-related domains of sustainable development. The presented research is well-grounded in economic theories, and its original contribution is chiefly concerned with the proposed conceptual model for the recovery and modernisation of the Ukrainian agricultural sector.

This book will serve as an invaluable resource for scientific researchers and businesses wishing to enhance their understanding of Ukraine's agricultural sector, as well as agricultural research and development (R and D) specifics. It will also be useful for policymakers involved in their countries' relations with Ukraine, students seeking basic concepts of innovative and sustainable development, and anyone interested in issues related to war-affected Ukraine.