Ukrainian farmers are doing their best to keep farming and producing food in their war-torn country, but the outlook is growing increasingly bleak. At least that’s the perspective from Indiana farmer Kip Tom, who toured farms, cities and the port of Odesa last week as part of a humanitarian effort.

Tom has seen his share of war-torn and hunger-ravaged countries in the past – serving as the United States ambassador to the United Nations agencies for food and agriculture, and chief of the United States Mission to the UN Agencies in Rome, from 2019 to 2021.

“At this moment there is no heat for the residents or businesses and a very limited potable water supply. They have lost 40% of their electrical capacity while experiencing a constant bombardment of missiles and drones,” Tom said. “The farmer’s concerns were similar to others we spoke with: No access to capital or export markets, shortages of inputs, fuel, labor, equipment parts, and producing crops for negative returns.  

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“The days are getting shorter, the temperatures are getting lower, food and water are scarce, electricity is not available, home heating is not available and the Russians are moving towards more families in Ukraine,” he added.

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