LOCAL MP Rachel Gilmour praised the resilience of Ukraine’s farmers when she recently visited the nation’s war-torn capital Kyiv as a member of a UK all-party Parliamentary group.

Speaking at a farmers’ reception, Mrs Gilmour reaffirmed Britain’s solidarity with Ukraine and said the country had long been known as the breadbasket of Europe.

Before Russia’s invasion, agriculture accounted for about 10 per centof the country's GDP and Russia had targeted that output as part of its war effort.

Mrs Gilmour compared Ukraine's farmers to their British counterparts who formed what became known as a ‘national farm’ during the Second World War, keeping the country fed through its darkest hour while rural communities took in evacuees from towns and cities under threat.

She said: “I am also a creature of the countryside and so I know that farmers are famously resilient, hardy people.

“These are the characteristics I admire them most for.

"Napoleon said that an army marches on its stomach. He also said it is hunger that makes the world move.

“Food security is national security. You will know this more acutely than anybody in Britain. I think we are slowly realising it, too.

"Britain's solidarity with Ukraine takes many forms. Indeed, it is why we are here.

“To my mind, it is crucial that we continue these ties, the support, the knowledge-sharing, the exchange of practice.

“War is often the greatest catalyst for technological advancement and the agricultural sector will be no exception.

“It will be at the very heart of Ukraine's long-term recovery and I look forward to our discussions and to hearing Ukrainian experiences.

“It is truly humbling to witness the resolve of Ukrainian farmers and despite the toll this war has taken, they keep going and keep finding ways to adapt.”