Since the invasion, Ukraine's economy has stagnated, and outflows of people abroad and military service have caused labor shortages in many industries, including agriculture. In households where men are absent, women increasingly become the main earners, and women are taking on more roles in farm management and operating machinery.
Agriculture has centered on grain exports by large enterprises, but interest is growing in horticultural crops that small operations can handle and that offer higher added value. A survey found, however, that growing vegetables as an extension of a home garden rarely brings stable income, and that knowledge of farm management and sales is important.
The project therefore analyzes challenges and proposes measures for effective training aimed at women, internally displaced persons and returning soldiers. Working with vocational schools, it develops materials on cultivation techniques, agribusiness and marketing basics, and basic machinery operation including tractor driving, and makes recommendations on spreading them.
Key points
- Supports the economic self-reliance of women, displaced persons and returning soldiers
- Develops materials covering cultivation, business, marketing and machinery operation
- Aims to complete a training program by December 2026 that helps women farmers gain the necessary knowledge and skills
Why this news deserves attention
Support is often imagined as goods or funds, but this project builds a learning system so people can earn income by their own efforts.
A medium- to long-term goal is for the training to spread beyond pilot schools to other vocational schools and agricultural universities, a sustainability point worth noting.
Editor's comment
I think this is an important form of cooperation that builds people's ability to rebuild their lives.
JICA's ODA Mieruka site introduces projects in other countries too. Please take a look.