Food prices around the world increased when Russia invaded Ukraine last year because in many places food production stopped. Ukrainian farmers left their fields to fight in the war or go to safer places. The war will reduce Ukraine’s production by 10 to 20 million tons.
At least 10.5 million hectares of
farmland are damaged. That is 25 percent of Ukraine’s farmland. Tanks and explosions destroyed some farmland
completely.
Farmers lost equipment and storage
buildings and it will be expensive to replace them.
Andriy Vadaturskyi is the head of one
of Ukraine’s largest grain producers. He said farmers need financial help. Today
there is a problem of high prices, but there is food ready to ship out of Ukraine’s
ports on the Black Sea. However, in one year the situation will be worse.
The Ukrainian government will need $15
billion to remove the mines and make the soil healthy again.
The problems do not end with the soil, mines and other land damage. The war destroyed roads and railways. It will cost more than $35 billion to rebuild roads and other transportation lines.
Farmers have enough money right now,
because they had a good year just before the war started. However, half the
farmers will have serious financial problems if the war goes into 2024.
The future of Ukrainian farmers is grey at the moment.
- What about filling in the blanks with DID or WILL?
1 - Food prices around the world increased when Russia invaded Ukraine last year.
When ……… food prices increase?
2 - Food prices
around the world increased because in many places food production stopped.
Why ……….food
prices increase?
3 - The war
will reduce Ukraine’s production by
10 to 20 million tons.
How much ……….the
war reduce production?
4 - Ukrainian
farmers left their fields.
What ………… farmers leave?
5 - Ukrainian
farmers left their fields to fight in
the war or go to safer places.
Why ……………. farmers leave their fields?
6 - Tanks and explosions destroyed some farmland completely.
What ……….tanks and explosions destroy?
7 - The Ukrainian government will need $15 billion.
How much money ………. the government need?
8 - They will need $35 billion to rebuild roads and other transportation lines.
Why ……….they need 35$?
9 - Farmers lost equipment
and storage buildings
What ……….farmers lose?
10 - In one year the situation will be worse.
How ………. the situation be in one year?
From VOA News
