Ukrainian agricultural education institutions and training centres have begun receiving modern machinery under the project “Promoting Small-Scale Horticulture: Increasing Inclusiveness of Women Farmers”, implemented in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

The project includes three training cycles for women farmers, veterans, internally displaced persons and beginner growers managing small agricultural holdings of up to 120 hectares. The initiative involves training centres in Volyn, Chernivtsi, Rivne, Cherkasy and Odesa regions, as well as agricultural colleges of the Ministry of Education and Science.

The delivered equipment – 15 units of modern machinery, including tractors, ploughs, disc harrows, cultivators and seeders – will be used for practical modules. While the first stage, completed in September 2025, focused on theory for more than 100 participants, the second training cycle will enable them to practise the full production process: from soil preparation to precision seeding. These are the skills that directly influence stable yields and the economic resilience of small farms.

Upon completion, trainees will be able to work with GPS navigation, automatic steering systems and precision agriculture technologies. This provides not only tools to boost productivity but also greater independence and confidence in the modern agricultural sector.

“The project helps small farms grow faster and expands opportunities for women farmers, veterans, internally displaced people and beginner agricultural producers. Under martial law, when a significant share of the male population is engaged in defence, these groups are becoming the backbone of small agricultural development,” – noted Denys Bashlyk, Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine.

The beneficiaries of the project “Promoting Small-Scale Horticulture: Increasing Inclusiveness of Women Farmers”, which runs until December 2026, are the Ministry of Economy of Ukraine and the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine.

For reference 

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is a Japanese governmental organisation established in 1974 to implement official development assistance programmes. JICA’s office in Ukraine has been operating since 2004, providing technical support in key sectors including agriculture, education, healthcare, water supply and sanitation. The agency also facilitates major infrastructure projects such as the construction of roads, bridges, energy and hydraulic facilities, and supports community development and environmental initiatives.