Yusif is a farmer from the Mykolaiv region who has worked with the land since 2003. Farming has always been his way of life. “Work, work, and more work — that’s how I’ve lived,” he says simply.
Before the full‑scale war in Ukraine , Yusіf spent more than two decades growing wheat on his single field, which provided stability and income for his family.Yusuf came to Mykolaiv from Azerbaijan 56 years ago, when he was just 15 years old, and he has never left since. Here he built his life, raised a family, and worked for many years at the Mykolaiv Sea Commercial Port before turning to farming. “Mykolaiv is my home,” he says quietly but with certainty.
The war changed everything. Heavy fighting in the region made Yusuf’s field too dangerous to access.
“For two or three years, we didn’t step onto the land at all. It was simply impossible. We were afraid”recalls Yusif
The area was heavily contaminated with explosive remnants of war, hidden by tall grass that made any inspection nearly impossible. “Even drones could not see what was there. The field was extremely dangerous,” Yusіf says.
“For two or three years, we didn’t step onto the land at all. It was simply impossible. We were afraid.”Yusіf says.
The war changed everything. Heavy fighting in the region made Yusuf’s field too dangerous to access.
The area was heavily contaminated with explosive remnants of war, hidden by tall grass that made any inspection nearly impossible. “Even drones could not see what was there. The field was extremely dangerous,” Yusіf says.
Despite the danger, he never left his home. “I stayed. I had nowhere else to go,” he explains. The most frightening moments are still vivid in his memory. “When the air raid sirens started, we ran to the basement with the whole family.” Along with fear, the war brought severe financial losses. “We lost so much,” he adds.
Hope returned when Yusif learned that humanitarian demining might be possible.
“I saw the vehicles, spoke to the people working there, and got a phone number, I called — and they came.”Yusif says.
His field was cleared by demining teams of DCA‑NCA in Ukraine, with financial support from Danida. This field became the first agricultural field cleared by the organisation in the area — a significant milestone for both the farmer and the demining teams. The work was carried out manually, metre by metre, with great care. “They worked incredibly hard,” Yusif says.
“They went everywhere, checked everything, and removed all the dangerous items. I am deeply grateful to them. May God grant them health.”
Today, wheat is growing on Yusuf’s land once again — for the first time in four years.
“We planted it, and now it’s growing, the wheat is growing again. Thank God… this is the first year in four years,”Usif says, smiling.
Yusif dreams of a simple future — peace and the chance to work safely on his own land. “If this war ends, that would be the greatest thing,” he says. The demining of his field was not just a technical operation; it restored his livelihood, his dignity, and his ability to plan for the future.
Standing by the green shoots of wheat, Yusіf sums it up quietly: “Thank you to everyone who made this possible. I am truly grateful.”
About the project
With the support of Danida, DCA-NCA is working to clear hazardous territories in Mykolaiv oblast. The project is not only focused on preventing injuries and saving lives from explosive incidents, but also on supporting people and communities who continue to suffer after the disaster.
These efforts are part of a broader mine-action strategy that includes surveying contaminated land, carrying out explosive ordnance risk education, and providing both legal and social support to affected communities.
