The Impact of the European Model of Agricultural Land Use on the Sustainable Development of Communities in Ukraine

Abstract

The aim of the research was to determine the possibilities for adapting European land-use practices to Ukrainian institutional, economic, and social conditions to ensure effective land resource management and enhance the resilience of rural communities. The empirical base encompassed 24 territorial communities of Ukraine from 2022 to 2024, with comparative data drawn from Poland, Slovakia, and Romania. Official statistics, land cadastre data, satellite imagery, and field measurements were utilised, allowing for a comprehensive assessment of land productivity, degradation scale, and recovery rates. The obtained results indicated that the average land productivity index in Ukrainian communities in 2023 was 0.47, which is 10.6% lower than in 2021 (taken as the baseline pre-war level – 0.53), and lagged behind Central European indicators (0.55). Grain crop yields in western regions of Ukraine reached 4.8 t/ha, while in southern regions they were only 3.6 t/ha. The share of degraded agricultural land averaged 17.2%, exceeding 21% in southern communities, whereas in EU countries this indicator did not exceed 11%. In 2024, Ukrainian communities restored 72.3% of their arable land structure compared to the 2021 level, while in Central Europe this figure reached 11.4%. It was established that the differences were explained not only by climatic conditions but also by disparities in access to financial resources: the level of support in Ukraine amounted to 78 euros/ha, while in Poland, Slovakia, and Romania it exceeded 220-240 euros/ha, i.e., was three times lower. The research results can be used by state authorities, local communities, and international donors to develop strategies for the restoration of agricultural territories, adapt European land management approaches, and formulate effective mechanisms for financing sustainable development.