International Development Grant
Supporting Horticulture Business Development - Phase II
Project Number: CA-3-D000100001
Status: Closed
Country/Region:
Maximum Contribution: $16,501,683.00
Start Date: August 07, 2014
End Date: January 29, 2022
Duration: 7.5 years
Project Description
This project seeks to increase the growth of small and medium-sized horticulture businesses particularly those led by women. The project expects to reach approximately 30 000 farmers in four of Ukraine’s most significant horticulture product producing regions (Kherson Zaporizhzhia Mykolayiv and Odessa) and an additional 14 000 clients of service providers and supply companies in these locations and throughout Ukraine. It improves cooperation between small and medium-sized horticulture enterprises to create economies of scale that individual farmers are unable to access on their own. It also works with agricultural colleges advisory service companies lending organizations and farming cooperatives to establish the broader support structures for sustainable small-scale horticulture production. Some project activities include: (1) providing equipment as well as training and technical assistance on better agricultural practices to farmers; (2) setting up a loan mechanism to help farmers access financing to enable them to invest in their businesses; and (3) helping local agricultural training institutes to develop new courses on efficient and environmentally sustainable management of small horticultural farms.
Expected Results
The expected intermediate outcomes for this project include: (1) more modern and environmentally sustainable business practices among small and medium horticulture enterprises particularly those led by women; and (2) increased cooperation among small and medium horticulture enterprises to achieve economies of scale; (3) Improved enabling environment for small and medium enterprises and farms particularly those led by women.
Progress & Results Achieved
Results achieved as of March 2021 include: (1) over 43 000 individuals (of whom 43% are women) from small- and medium-sized farms and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) learned about horticulture-related topics. These topics covered production harvest post-harvest handling and product sales through webinars seminars training field days and conferences. Over 3 200 learning events occurred through the project. As a result 83% of the women smallholder farmers and 78% of the men smallholder farmers surveyed at the end of the project activities reported using more modern practices in production and post-harvest handling; (2) a total of 68% of the land area managed by the project is now farmed using environmentally sustainable practices exceeding the target of 30%. These improved practices have resulted in higher yields and better quality crops; (3) a majority of project beneficiaries (82% of women-owned and 60% of men-owned SMEs) reported upgrading their assets due to project support significantly exceeding the project’s target; (4) increased access to and adoption of innovative and environmentally friendly farming technologies for 2 680 smallholder farmers (of whom 38% are women and 62% are men) through e-vouchers. In total purchased $565 806 worth of commodities were purchased; (5) continued to support the online ENVIRO catalogue which features 67 environmentally sensitive technologies including those related to organic farming alternative energy herbicides and pesticides irrigation systems water collection equipment and mulch. The catalogue has received over 3 600 visits and over 9 500 views in the last year alone; and (6) designed a simple fertilizer calculator for women and men smallholder farmers which calculates a fertilizer mix suitable to conditions based on data provided by the farmer. This allows farmers to generate higher crop yields using a safe and effective fertilizer ratio. Within the testing period downloading the fertilizer
Key Information
Executing Agency:
Mennonite Economic DevelopmentAssociates of Canada
Reporting Organization:
Global Affairs Canada
Program:
EGM Europe Arctic Middle East and Magh
Last Modified:
September 19, 2025
Development Classifications
DAC Sector:
Aid Type: Project-type interventions
Collaboration: Bilateral
Finance Type: Aid grant excluding debt reorganisation
Selection Mechanism:
Department-Initiated