Agricultural labour is not just an economic issue, it is a matter of national security. However, today the Ukrainian countryside faces a challenge that is no less threatening than a missile - a shortage of labour due to the war.

⚠️ Why is there a staffing crisis?

1. The mobilisation of thousands of workers from villages is the main reason. This has hit tractor drivers, machine operators, livestock breeders, agronomists, and zootechnicians the hardest.
2. Migration - some employees went abroad with their families.
3. Depletion of resources - many people burn out psychologically or physically unable to keep up with the pace under stress, shelling and constant danger.
4. Lack of replacement - young people do not go to the countryside because they consider agricultural work to be low-paid and hard.

📌 What is a reservation?
This is an official exemption from mobilisation for workers whose activities are critical to the economy and food security.
Who has the right to book employees?
✔️Юридичні persons included in the list of critical enterprisescan apply for a booking for their employees.

📝 Algorithm of actions:

• Submit an application to the Ministry of Economy or the military administration (depending on the type of enterprise).
• Add:
  ✔️ List of employees to be booked.
  ✔️ Copies of employment orders.
  ✔️ Explanation of the reasons for the booking (what services/products are provided by a particular employee).
• Wait for approval (up to 10 days).
• If approved, obtain an extract from the order of the Ministry of Economy and submit it to the TCC.
  ⏳ Booking validity period: Standard - 6 months, with the right to extend.

🎯 Advice for agricultural enterprises
🔹 Don't delay: apply for a reservation before the peak periods.
Engage young people: open doors for students of agricultural universities - offer internships, practices, contracts.
🔹 Invest in robotics: where there is a shortage of people, mechanisation can be used to replace them - precision farming, drones, agro-scouting.
🔹 Keep in touch with local TCCs: creating a lively dialogue and trust is the most effective way to compromise.

The NGO "Agrarians of Odesa Region" emphasises that "today, booking agricultural workers is a vital necessity. Without people in the field, there will be no harvest. Without harvest, there will be no bread. Agrarians are the same soldiers, only in a different uniform: in boots and with a plough. Therefore, we urge all farmers to use their right to book. And work with belief in victorybecause it is agricultural labour that is an act of resistance, a contribution to the future of the state"