Innovative Collaboration Model for Small Farmers Introduced in Ukraine

A pilot program has been launched in Ukraine to implement a new collaboration model for micro and small agricultural producers, based on the creation of Special Interest Groups (SIGs). This initiative aims to unite farmers, community representatives, and advisory services to collectively address challenges, including limited access to markets, knowledge, and resources, as well as to make more effective use of economic opportunities.

This is reported by AgroReview

Benefits of SIGs for Agricultural Producers

The SIG approach includes a range of innovative solutions that help small producers strengthen their market positions. Key areas of activity for these groups include:

• Product Innovations – development of value-added products, such as the production of craft items;
• Process Innovations – shared use of agricultural machinery, organization of bulk resource purchases;
• Organizational Innovations – cooperation to create shared storage facilities and form larger product batches;
• Marketing Innovations – promotion of goods under a single brand or within a unified distribution system.

Pilot Implementation in Communities and Strategic Importance of the Project

Currently, the SIG model is being implemented in over 60 communities across nine regions of Ukraine. Among the already established innovative groups are honey producers in Kyiv region, lentil producers in Dnipropetrovsk region, and berry growers in Poltava region. The experience of European Operational Groups operating within the Agricultural Knowledge and Innovation System (AKIS) has served as the foundation for implementing this model in Ukraine.

“The pilot of innovative groups is a significant step towards the economic integration of micro and small agricultural producers into the modern market system. It is the basis for the recovery of Ukraine’s agricultural sector.”

This initiative is part of the implementation of the Agricultural Development Strategy for Ukraine until 2030. The main goal is to strengthen the positions of small producers in value chains and ensure the sustainable development of rural areas in the long term.