Despite southern Ukraine’s large agricultural and human resources, and the important role agriculture contributes to the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employment – government policy reforms have stagnated. This, combined with below standard business and production practices, and inadequate sales models, have resulted in low crop yields, lower earnings per acre, and family incomes.

Horticulture small businesses in southern Ukraine face many challenges, including substandard business and production techniques and inadequate sales models. As a result, these small business owners and farmers earn less income. These challenges are made worse by substandard environmental practices that hinder agricultural development and deplete soil fertility resulting in adverse effects on food safety and food security.

Women farmers also lack access to information on harvest, post-harvest, and market knowledge along with reduced access to materials supplied by men service agents. These challenges lead to poor agricultural practices from women, who are involved in day-to-day labor and farm operations.