Presentation by Mark O’Neill, Farm Manager, Mriya Agro

Presentation by Mark O’Neill, Farm Manager, Mriya Agro Holding. Assisted by Yulianna Hrebenik, as interpreter. Ternopil National Technical University, 5th November 2011.

Introduction Personal background/career to date. Mriya Agro Holding. What is the Agronomist? Future of Ukrainian/Global Agriculture. Agriculture Profession in Ukraine. Conclusion. Questions.

Background Previous From Ireland. Studied in Ireland and England(4 Years). Working vacation to Australia. Management Trainee (C.W.S Farms UK, 40k, ha). Manager, Saudi Arabia, for 6 years, Almarai Company. Present Farm Manager in Mriya Agro Holding. 18,400 ha/one block. Monitor crops, operations and performance. Excellent land, excellent equipment, excellent future. 3

Mriya Agro Holding Mriya, progressive and well recognized company. Modern and dynamic company. Internationally recognized as one of the largest, professional, agriculture organizations in Western Ukraine. Excellent future for Mriya, with the requirement of young professionals.

Mriya Agro Holding Mriya providing employment, with social and economic benefits to rural communities. Investing in young people. Mriya’s biggest asset are its team/people. Mriya wants to attract and retain people at all levels. Practice team work, to continuously improve standards.

Mriya Agro Holding Mriya team are lead by personal responsibility and determination. Equal opportunities employer. Mriya staff are the reputation of the company. Continuously developing a young team, which is essential for future.

Mriya Agro Holding

Mriya Agro Holding

What is the Agronomist? A scientist who specializes in agronomy. Basically, the science of using plants for food, fuel, animal feeds and fibre. An expert in Agricultural sciences. An agronomist deals with the interactions between plants, soil and environment. They use research and techniques to develop crops, to be efficient and beneficial to society.

What is the Agronomist? Agronomists, can be found teaching, running businesses, research in food production, and on environmental issues. Agronomists may be found working for banks, seed and agricultural companies, also in government.

Future of Ukrainian Agriculture Widely known, next 10 years, cereals could average 20% more in price, red meat 30% more, compared to last 10 years.

Future of Ukrainian Agriculture By 2050, global population will be in region of 9 billion, from 7 billion today. Global demand for food will almost double. Crops we grow today will be also required for bio energy and industrial uses. Solid future for food production, and agriculture globally, and Ukraine is ideally placed to meet requirements.

Future of Ukrainian Agriculture Global demand for food is rising faster than supply, reducing world stocks. Ukraine is a leading producer of grain and oilseed, with significant room for improvement, to increase yields, and bring additional land into production.

Agricultural Profession in Ukraine

Agricultural Profession in Ukraine Future agribusiness professionals will be some of the most highly skilled people of any industry. The outlook for agronomy and agronomists is excellent. Ukraine has room to improve on yield, with new technology, possibly 30-40%.

Agricultural Profession in Ukraine Basics of production is good agronomy. Example, practising crop rotation, nutrient planning, quality cultivation, drilling, agronomy, harvesting and storage. Produce quality, and quantity at every opportunity.

Agricultural Profession in Ukraine Ukraine has more Agricultural land than any other country in Europe, at 11.7% of arable land within Europe. Average depth of humus layer is 40-60 cm, in Europe it is 5-30cm. A stable continental climate accommodates wide variety of grain and oilseed growing.

Agricultural Profession in Ukraine Ukraine is strategically placed in middle of a large and growing trade zone, with Black Sea shipping links. Future is for quality, export market share. Mriya, is producing quality and quantity, with the infrastructure to handle quantity. This is based on huge investments in grain storage and logistics.

Conclusion Personally I am a keen Agronomist. Enjoy the aspects of growing quality crops. Agronomy is a life long learning experience. Different crops, climates, seasons create the challenge. Excellent future for this profession. Develop skills to grow, with modern technical information.

Conclusion Mriya and the agricultural industry require young people. Example, EU, 55% of farmers are over 55 years, so in the next 5 years, rapid decline of farmers. Ukrainians working abroad in Agriculture? Excellent experience, but I encourage you to concentrate efforts in Ukrainian agriculture, for your future.

Conclusion Agronomists today are involved in many aspects. Producing food, creating healthier food. Managing the environmental impact of agriculture, and creating energy from plants.

Personal Conclusion Being from Europe, having many international agriculture colleagues, the eyes of the agricultural world are on Ukraine now. This was the reason I decided to come to Ukraine, and to Mriya Agro Holding. I believe this is one of the richest countries in Europe, and has much more to offer to its people.

Personal Conclusion I wish you all the best for a successful future, and hope you make the correct choice in the bright future of agriculture. Questions please.