Agriculture

The Agriculture cluster unites researchers, agronomists, economists, and policymakers to support the development of Ukraine’s agricultural sector. Leveraging Switzerland’s expertise in sustainable farming, digital agriculture, and market development, the cluster fosters innovation and resilience in Ukraine’s agri-food system.

Agriculture as a Driver of Economic Growth and Sustainability
Agriculture plays a crucial role in Ukraine’s economy and global food security. With significant challenges caused by war, soil degradation, and disrupted supply chains, Ukraine needs innovative approaches to restore and modernize its agricultural sector. The Agriculture cluster focuses on key areas such as:

Sustainable Agricultural Practices

Promoting agroecological approaches and organic farming.
Enhancing resilience through sustainable land management and soil restoration techniques.

Digitalization in Agriculture

Implementing AI-driven decision-making tools for precision farming.
Strengthening digital platforms for knowledge-sharing and market access.

Research and Knowledge Exchange

Supporting studies on war-induced soil contamination and its remediation.
Organizing international conferences, public lectures, and exhibitions to foster academic and industry collaboration.

Achievements
Conferences and Knowledge Exchange

Presentation of research at the Food Day ETH (October 2024), the 98th Annual Conference of the Agricultural Economics Society (University of Edinburgh, March 2024), the 187th EAAE Seminar (FiBL, June 2024), and the 189th EAAE Seminar (Warsaw, September 2024).
Participation in the ETH with Ukraine exhibition (January-February 2024), showcasing research on the digitalization of Ukrainian agriculture.
Public lectures at ETH Zurich (October, 2023 - February, 2024) on environmental issues and resilience in agriculture.

SustainAgro Event

Organized the "SustainAgro: Strengthening Economic Growth, Sustainability, and Innovation in Agriculture" event (February 5, 2024, Collegium Helveticum). The event featured keynote speeches and a panel discussion with leading experts in agricultural economics, policy, and innovation. Discussions focused on fostering cooperation, knowledge exchange, and progress in sustainable agriculture.

Soil Impact Research and Remediation

Pioneering soil impact research in cooperation with Sumy National Agrarian University, Royal Agricultural University (England), and BFH HAFL (Switzerland).
Development of a soil assessment protocol for farmlands affected by war, with samples analysed in Switzerland, the UK, and Ukraine.
Secured financial support from The Halo Trust, Syngenta, Universities UK International, XTX Markets, and Institut für die Wissenschaften vom Menschen for soil remediation projects.
Training programs conducted for over 50 individuals, including former soldiers and farmers, on soil analysis and contamination risks.
National-scale impact: Testing of 3,000 soil samples across seven heavily affected regions to evaluate soil health and contamination levels.
Development of remediation techniques for six farmers across five regions, providing tailored solutions for soil restoration.
Creation of guidelines and manuals for farmers and agronomists to address soil restoration challenges.

Future Plans

Developing a research project with Swiss and Ukrainian universities, farmers, and governments to advance sustainable agricultural practices and policy-making.
Teaching Ukrainian farmers about developing sustainable food systems to enhance resilience and long-term agricultural sustainability.
Expanding research on soil compaction and moisture levels in de-mined areas to enhance sustainable farming post-war.
Strengthening cooperation with Swiss and international institutions to scale digital agriculture solutions.
Further development of interactive digital tools and mapping for precision farming and climate-smart agriculture.

The Agricultural Cluster aims to foster long-term resilience in Ukraine’s agricultural sector by integrating Swiss expertise, digital innovation, and sustainable farming practices, ensuring a robust and adaptable food system for the future.

Call to action
We invite you to actively support the mission of the Agricultural Cluster. There are many ways to contribute to this important initiative, whether by providing research insights, engaging in policy discussionsm or sharing resources. Together, we can build a strong, collaborative network that promotes meaningful progress in Ukrainian agriculture and beyond.

Members and Contact

Prof. Dr. Maryna Nehrey, marina.nehrey@gmail.com
Dr. Olena Melnyk, Zurich, olena.melnyk@bfh.ch
Roman Romanko, Bern