Land Reform in Ukraine (The First Five Years)

This study summarizes the first five years (1991-96) of agrarian reforms in Ukraine, presenting the results of a farm-level survey conducted in 11 provinces between January and March 1996. The findings show that the growth of private farming has slowed down after a vigorous start and that the number of independent family farms appears to have stabilized at around 33,000. Distribution of land and asset shares has been completed in roughly half the farms surveyed. Ukrainian agriculture remains dominated by large collective structures, and the failure of large farms to adapt to new economic conditions has resulted in a distinct deterioration of their financial performance. The survey suggests that land reform in Ukraine is in danger of stagnation and that the government must create the necessary institutional and market conditions to invigorate reforms.