Full explanation
Southern Ukraine historically had 2.5M ha of irrigated potential via the Main Kakhovka Canal (serving Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv) and the North Crimean Canal (blocked by Russia 2014–2022). After the dam destruction on 6 June 2023: (1) the 18 km³ Kakhovka Reservoir disappeared, (2) the Dnipro below the dam returned to pre-Kakhovka hydrology, (3) 584k ha confirmed loss of irrigation access. Most-affected crops: rice (effectively wiped out — 0 ha sown in 2023 vs. pre-war 11k ha), watermelon, tomato, Kherson sunflower. Alternatives: (1) deep wells 80–150 m (UAH 200–800k per well, Water Code permit required), (2) dryland agronomy — drought-tolerant hybrids, no-till, snow/water harvesting, (3) slow canal restoration after de-occupation. Ukraine's Irrigation Recovery Programme launched 2024 with UAH 45 billion budgeted through 2030.