Advancing Sustainable Agriculture in Ukraine

The present project is motivated by the pursuit of a common objective of a private company (Nestlé) and SDC to address together the crucial issue of lack of sustainability in Ukrainian agriculture. Overall, inefficient farming practices result in unemployment in rural areas, the worsening of living conditions of the rural population and impede resilient production systems and increased food security. Insufficient productivity, lack of investments and advisory services make the economic potential of the agricultural sector underutilized.

Contribute to the sustainability of agricultural production (in two selected value chains) in Ukraine (long term).

1. Government bodies

2. Agricultural SMEs

3. Food processors

Farmers produce in an ecologically, economically and socially sustainable way, enhancing the quality of their products, continuous supply chains, economic return and working conditions.

Resultados previstos:  

• 10 agricultural SMEs (=farms) in two value chains (wheat flour and mustard seeds) are able to improve sustainability performance.

• Local consultants have developed sustainable solutions for farmers they are ready to pay for.

• Participants of the food chain, such as Nestlé and other food processors have developed transparent procedures that give preference and reward to raw material producers operating in a sustainable way.

Resultados de las fases anteriores:  

As an inception phase for the presented project a small project was carried out in 2017 when SDC in partnership with Nestlé provided an equal contribution to be implemented by Bern University of Applied Sciences, School of Agricultural, Forestry and Food Sciences (HAFL) and Sumy National Agrarian University (SNAU). To develop a better understanding of Ukraine’s agriculture the first RISE assessments (Response-Inducing Sustainability Evaluation) have been conducted. These assessments provided valuable insight into the farmers’ sustainability challenges. Learning materials on farm assessment and the RISE evaluation software were translated into Ukrainian and adapted to local conditions. Ukrainian researchers trained in using RISE, in cooperation with staff of Nestlé Ukraine, have assessed the sustainability of 30 farms in different parts of the country.

• Ministry of Agricultural Policy and Food of Ukraine.

• Sumy National Agrarian University (SNAU)

• Agricultural SMEs and associations.

Significant synergies may be anticipated with the newly planned SECO project in higher added value trade in the organic and dairy sector of Ukraine as well as with an ongoing SECO funded project providing access to finance for farmers via crop receipts using future harvest as collateral.

Fase 1 01.10.2019 - 31.12.2022   (Completed)