What do research on milk safety in the front-line Sumy region, beekeeping products, modern gastronomic solutions and craft production have in common? At first glance, they seem like different directions. In fact, they are all part of the same process: the search for new approaches to the development of the Ukrainian food sector. Sumy National Agrarian University shared its scientific achievements, educational opportunities and practical experience in this area during the III Forum-Fair of Craft Production in Ukraine.
On September 4-5, TILIGUL CONNECT 2026 and the III Forum-Fair of Craft Production in Ukraine were held at the Mykolaiv National Agrarian University with the support of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine and the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine. The event brought together more than 125 local producers from different regions of Ukraine, representatives of science, education and business, as well as international partners from Poland and Moldova.
The forum was attended by the Dean of the Faculty of Food Technologies Nataliia Bolhova, Dean of the Faculty of Agrotechnology and Environmental Management Serhii Horbas, Professor of the Department of Food Technology and Safety Maryna Samilyk, PhD, Senior Lecturer of the Department of Food Technology Tetiana Naumenko, Assistant Professor of the Department of Horticulture and Forestry Anton Kytaihora, Head of the Educational Laboratory of Horticulture and Viticulture Pavlo Melnychenko, and Research Fellow of the Center for Collective Use of Scientific Equipment on the Latest Agrotechnologies “Scientific and Research Laboratory for Soil Research and Remediation” Vitalii Kotenko.
One of the central events was the All-Ukrainian Scientific and Practical Conference “Priority Areas of National Food Security and Food Safety in the Conditions of Post-War Recovery”. It was here that studies were presented that particularly clearly show how science works with the real challenges of today.
Professor of the Department of Food Technology and Safety Maryna Samilyk presented the results of a study on the safety of cow’s milk in the frontline territory of Sumy region.
PhD, senior lecturer of the Department of Food Technology Tetiana Naumenko presented the results of a study on the safety of beekeeping products of Ukraine in the conditions of war and post-war recovery.
These topics are of particular importance for Ukraine: it is not only about the quality of individual products, but also about the sustainability of the food system, food safety and the ability of production to work in conditions of extraordinary challenges.
At the same time, the forum became an opportunity to look at craft production from a different perspective – through education and training of specialists. University representatives got acquainted with the experience of the Mykolaiv National Agrarian University in developing an educational-scientific-production cluster, organizing student scientific research and production technologies for more than 60 types of natural products.
Such experience is especially important for the development of the educational and professional program “Craft Technologies and Gastronomic Innovations” at SNAU. After all, modern craft production is not only about recipes and technologies. It is also about knowledge about product safety, modern gastronomic trends, working with local raw materials, creating your own product and promoting it on the market.
That is why the university strives to combine education with practice so that students can not only master technologies, but also see the real path of the product – from idea and experiment to finished product.
Outside the conference hall, the forum participants also had the opportunity to directly get to know regional producers and practitioners. SNAU representatives visited the regional landscape park “Tyligulsky”, joined the Forum of Winemakers of Ukraine and the Festival-Fair of Craft Products. The central event was the presentation of the new cluster of craft producers Mykolaiv Origin.
Such meetings provide an opportunity not only to exchange experience, but also to see the real needs of the industry, hear from producers and understand what knowledge and competencies will be in demand tomorrow. For the university, these are new professional contacts, potential partnerships and ideas that can be continued in educational and scientific projects.
Participation in the forum once again demonstrated the important role of the university in the interaction of science, education and production. When scientific research responds to real challenges, and education responds to the needs of the modern market, new opportunities appear – for students, scientists, producers and the development of Ukrainian regions.
Sumy National Agrarian University continues to develop areas that combine science, modern technologies and practice, creating an educational environment in which you can not only get a profession, but also learn to create new products and your own capabilities.
We sincerely thank the management and staff of Mykolaiv National Agrarian University for the high level of organization of the event, meaningful professional dialogue and warm welcome.
