Kozachenko began his career in the late 1970s working in local agricultural enterprises. From 1977 to 1978, he served as head of the central workshop at the “Kozhansky” state farm, and then as chief engineer of the “Bolshevik” state farm. Between 1983 and 1986, he chaired a collective farm in the village of Pylypivka. These early leadership roles developed his managerial skills and introduced him to the complexities of agricultural production and rural development. With Ukraine’s independence in 1991, Kozachenko entered the sphere of public administration. He became head of the marketing and licensing department at the Ministry of Agriculture of Ukraine, where he worked on adapting the agricultural system to market conditions. That same year, in October 1991, he became general director of the enterprise “Ukragrobiznes,” one of the first modern agricultural business associations in independent Ukraine.
In January 2000, he became head of the agribusiness company “Agrolend,” consolidating his reputation as a leader who could balance entrepreneurial initiative with sectoral policy expertise. In June 2001, Leonid Kozachenko was appointed Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine for Agrarian Policy, a position he held until November 2002. During his tenure, he worked on reforms aimed at liberalizing agricultural markets, attracting investment into the sector, and harmonizing Ukrainian food production with international standards. His efforts focused on creating the foundation for Ukraine’s transformation into a global player in food security.
Beyond government, Kozachenko dedicated much of his career to building institutions that represent and protect the interests of agricultural entrepreneurs. From 1997 to 2002, he was president of the League of Agribusiness Entrepreneurs. Since 2002, he has served as president of the Ukrainian Agrarian Confederation (UAC), one of the most influential organizations in the country’s agricultural sector. Through the UAC, Kozachenko became a key voice in shaping agrarian policy, promoting Ukrainian agricultural exports, and strengthening dialogue between business and government. Under his leadership, the Confederation has engaged in international cooperation, positioning Ukraine as a reliable partner in global food supply chains. Kozachenko has also held advisory roles at the highest levels of government. In 2005–2006, he served as an adviser to the President of Ukraine. In May 2010, he was appointed chairman of the Council of Entrepreneurs under the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine, a platform that brought together representatives of business associations to coordinate reforms and improve the investment climate. Throughout his career, he has been recognized for his ability to unite policymakers, business leaders, and international partners around the common goal of developing Ukraine’s agrarian potential. His expertise spans economics, foreign trade, and agricultural technologies, making him a respected figure both domestically and abroad.
Leonid Kozachenko’s professional journey reflects the evolution of Ukraine’s agricultural sector from a Soviet-style planned economy to a market-oriented system integrated into global trade. He has consistently advocated for farmers and agribusinesses, pushing for reforms that ensure competitiveness, sustainability, and international cooperation. Respected as both a statesman and an entrepreneur, Kozachenko remains one of the leading architects of Ukraine’s agrarian policy and a tireless promoter of the country’s role as a global breadbasket.
