16 November 2009, 10:30
To the Agrarians of Ukraine
Please accept my sincere greetings on the occasion of your occupational holiday the Agrarians Day.
Deep symbolism of the phrase "Bread is the staff of life" conveys the essence of this holiday, testifying of its vital importance and ascertaining historical priority of the Ukrainian nation.
This holiday is of the most Ukrainian nature, as the work on land and innate love for it have always been of special significance for our nation. A wise, peaceful and spiritual grain-growing trade became a faithful civilization property and social characteristics of Ukrainian peasantry.
However, this distinctive genetic feature of the nation is presently influenced by different negative factors that destroy the essence of peasantry, impeding and altering its progress by haste, unreasonableness and lack of foresight.
However, in spite of recessionary socio-economic conditions, destroyed industrial and technical basis, Ukrainian rural area demonstrates its powerful potential, directing efforts of the agrarians onto realization of current and prospective objectives of the agricultural complex development of Ukraine. Under the conditions of limited State support of the sector, a self-sacrificing work of the peasants and scientific supply ensured a rich harvest of grain crops and growth of agricultural production.
I am convinced that hard, responsible and honourable pursuit of restoring rural areas will be a success. Agrarian sector will definitely become one of the most powerful constituents of the national economy.
On the occasion of this holiday, I wish you all the best.
Volodymyr LYTVYN