SmartHarvest – Boosting production of vegetables, berries and greens in Ukraine through establishing an Innovation Hub for Hydroponics and Greenhouse Technologies

The project aims to contribute to re-building Ukraine’s agricultural production through modernising vegetable production and promoting green job creation with special attention to women, internally displaced people and veterans. This is realised along four lines of activities: 1. Establish modern hydroponic greenhouse production complexes to showcase the potential of professional production of vegetables, berries and greens, using different set-ups and (level) technologies and investments. 2. Establish a Training & Education facility to demonstrate and train beneficiaries on hydroponic crop cultivation. 3. Establish a Greenhouse Business knowledge and consulting platform to support (new) hydroponic greenhouse entrepreneurs in developing their businesses, support in getting access to finance and dissemination of knowledge. 4. Promote modern hydroponic greenhouse production in Ukraine through a targeted marketing and information campaign.Hydroponic greenhouse production is a technology that holds great potential to 1) Increase productivity per m2, reducing the amount of land needed for vegetable production, 2) Reduce need of water and chemical inputs, 3) Allow for year-round production, and 4) Promote attractivity and employability of the agricultural sector for current and new generations. The project is not only aimed at innovative production, but also at setting up an infrastructure for market-oriented training and knowledge dissemination to improve business development. The project is set to take place in two separate locations in different regions.