Empowering Women in Horticulture: Uman National University of Horticulture Completes JICA˗Funded Business Management Course

Uman National University of Horticulture successfully completed its pilot project, “Organization and Management of Business in Horticulture”, implemented with the support of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The program aimed to equip women from Uman district with the skills and knowledge to manage and rebuild the agricultural sector in Ukraine.

The program provided participants with a comprehensive curriculum, combining theoretical knowledge of modern horticultural technologies with practical skills for real-world application. Participants learned effective methods for crop storage and the fundamentals of managing small businesses in the agricultural sector. This intensive training was led by a team of expert instructors from Uman National University of Horticulture. Notably, the program’s completion coincided with the start of spring planting season, creating a symbolic link between the knowledge gained and its practical application – both the participants’ skills and their businesses are poised to flourish alongside the blossoming spring.

The project “Organization and Management of Business in Horticulture” culminated on March 5th with a collaborative learning session. Participants engaged in group discussions with mentors, reflecting on their learning experience. They assessed whether their training expectations were met and identified key takeaways – new knowledge and skills gained throughout the course. The discussions also explored future learning interests and fostered a collaborative vision for the development of horticulture in Uman district and beyond.

Marking the successful completion of the “Organization and Management of Business in Horticulture” project, participants received certificates and gifts funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). In a ceremony celebrating the conclusion, Mykhailo Malovanyi, Vice Rector for Scientific and Pedagogical Work at Uman National University of Horticulture, expressed his gratitude to both the participants for their commitment to learning and JICA for their financial support. He continued, “We hope the acquired knowledge will benefit you in your professional or everyday life. The feedback you provided during the course will be used to develop future programs.”

The knowledge gained from the project is sure to propel these women forward with confidence, enabling them to significantly contribute to the growth of their businesses, the national economy, and the agricultural sector as a whole.
Liudmyla Ben, a course participant, expressed her sincere gratitude to the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Uman National University of Horticulture, “We’ve gained so much valuable knowledge, from learning how to establish businesses in today’s market to deepening our expertise in fruit growing and viticulture.  The visits to leading horticultural enterprises were particularly insightful, and the entire experience has been incredibly enriching. It’s truly gratifying that this program focused on women. As everyone knows, we are the backbone and hope of Ukraine right now. The knowledge we’ve gained here is invaluable, and I want to commend the instructors for their passion and dedication to their subjects. They truly made learning a joy.”

On behalf of Uman National University of Horticulture, we extend our sincere gratitude to the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) for their invaluable support in realizing this successful project.  Building on this positive experience, we are highly interested in exploring further educational collaborations with JICA.  Such collaborations hold significant potential to contribute to the continued development of Ukraine’s agricultural sector.

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