"We used to be told that the Ukraine had the best soil in the world."

It was this that motivated Alain Sauvage and his family to leave France to set up a farm in the Ukrainian village of Krasivka.

Keen to become part of the local community, Alain renovated the local school, bought toys for the nursery and made attempts to fix the village water pump.

But his dream turns sour: after having invested two million doillars and three years' hard work, he is drained both financially and physically.

The hopes of the Savage family are dashed by the red-tape and corruption of the Ukraine village officials, unwilling to welcome outsiders.

Alain gives up the farm and heads back to the French Riviera. But despite the trials of the experience, he remains upbeat. "It was an adventure", he says.

Marina Denysenko reveals Alain's story and explores the issues behind it: the 'golden age' of Soviet collective farms and the effect that private enterprise has had on the region.

Listen to the programme
	Listen to the programme

First broadcast in July 2006. Produced by Marina Denysenko of the BBC's Ukrainian Service.