International partnership and education: the agri-sector focuses on workforce development

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On March 31, a press conference titled “International partnership for the development of education in Ukraine’s agricultural sector” was held at the Interfax-Ukraine press center. Representatives of industry associations, businesses, and international organizations discussed the development of educational initiatives for the agricultural sector. Among the key speakers was Oksana Yurchenko, Project Coordinator at the FAO Investment Centre in Ukraine and President of the Association of Ukrainian Pig Breeders, who emphasized the systemic issue of workforce shortages in the industry.

According to her, the lack of qualified specialists remains one of the main constraints on the development of livestock production and the agricultural sector as a whole.

“Even when we talk about the farm of the future, the key element remains the professional. The issue of workforce training has remained relevant for years and continues to be among the industry’s top priorities,” she noted.

At the same time, the transformation of educational approaches is opening new opportunities to address this challenge. The COVID-19 pandemic and recent developments have accelerated the shift toward дистанційних learning formats, making education more accessible to a wider range of professionals. In response to business demand, the AgriAcademy educational platform was launched in 2022 and now brings together more than 40 courses for agricultural specialists.

“These courses are developed directly in line with business needs and are often created by the companies themselves. This is not theoretical content, but practical knowledge that can be immediately applied in production,” Yurchenko emphasized.

The platform offers training materials across both crop and livestock production, including topics such as animal health, production management, and modern regulatory requirements.

According to the speaker, interest in training continues to grow steadily: more than 3,500 certificates have already been issued, and the number of registered participants is three times higher.

Participants of the press conference agreed that the development of educational platforms and international partnerships in this area are key to enhancing the competitiveness of Ukraine’s agricultural sector and its integration into the European market.


The Association of Ukrainian Pig Breeders is a non-profit, voluntary organization founded by domestic pork producers. Its main objectives include representing and protecting the rights and interests of its members, promoting the development and implementation of advanced pork production technologies, expanding market opportunities, and safeguarding the domestic market.

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) aims to reduce poverty and hunger worldwide by developing agriculture, improving nutrition, and addressing food security challenges. It was founded in Quebec on October 16, 1945, and operates under the motto “Helping to build a world without hunger.”

AgriAcademy is a digital educational platform for knowledge and skills exchange in agribusiness. Its mission is to improve access for the Ukrainian agribusiness community to professional skills, successful business cases, and innovative solutions that meet modern market challenges.

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