Consequences of the destruction at the Kakhovka Hydroelectric Power Plant for agriculture in the South of Ukraine

Abstract

Motives: Ukraine’s agricultural sector has suffered immense losses due to the Russian invasion. The situation worsened after the Kakhovka Hydropower Plant was undermined in the summer of 2023. It is essential to assess the devastating consequences of this destruction in order to plan the future development of the agricultural sector. Aim: The aim of this study was to estimate the expected volume of agricultural production and possible scenarios of its development in the areas affected by the explosion at the Kakhovka Hydropower Plant. The study also aims to summarize the opinions expressed during the discussion on the reconstruction of the Hydropower Plant. Results: In the medium term, agricultural activity in the region will be conducted on rainfed land at a scale similar to that of 2022. In the long term, there will be significant losses of almost all crop products due to changes in the structure of crops according to ecological requirements. Currently, there is no unified position on the restoration of the Kakhovka Reservoir and Hydropower Plant due to conflicting economic and environmental approaches.