On September 10, within the walls of the Sumy National Agrarian University, a training was held for representatives of the Sumy Oblast fishery. The event took place within the framework of the agreement between Sumy NAU and the UN FAO to promote the restoration of agricultural livelihoods at the community level and to strengthen value chains of agri-food products in the war-affected areas of Sumy region.
Rector of the Sumy National Agrarian University Ihor KOVALENKO noted the importance of cooperation with the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations. According to him, SNAU is a place for implementing innovative programs aimed at the development of Sumy Oblast and Ukraine in general:
“Today, business in agriculture does not stand still, it is relevant, popular, despite all the circumstances, I am absolutely sure that today you will hear something new, write down something useful. We are ready to continue to be such a reliable center between FAO and European organizations regarding the implementation of these projects.”

The purpose of the training is to support sustainability and increase the sustainable production potential of vulnerable rural households in the Sumy region engaged in fish farming (aquaculture). The project will achieve this through the provision of conditional cash transfers, technical assistance and capacity building activities in the context of the ongoing conflict and its impact on livelihoods.
The event was divided into several parts, the following speakers performed for those present:

Vitaliy BEKH, professor, head of the aquaculture department of the National University of Bioresources and Nature Management with the topic “Optimization of the production environment (aeration of reservoirs, feeding and breeding of fish, prevention of fish diseases)”

Roman KULOMZA, FOP “Kulomza” talked about “Diversification of the fishing enterprise (fish processing – salting, drying, smoking)”

Nataliya BONDAR, Doctor of Philosophy of Sumy HAY pointed out the importance of legal aspects of business “Legislative regulation in fish farming: official registration of the enterprise, lease relations, phytosanitary regulations”

Oleksandr KOVBASA, Candidate of Economic Sciences Sumy NAU summed up the speeches of the speakers on the topic “Business planning. Marketing in Aquaculture”

Oleksandr MASLAK – Director of the Department of Agro-Industrial Development of Sumy Oblast was also present at the training. As a graduate of Sumy NAU, he understands the need to develop this line of business and the steps the university is taking for this:
“Aquaculture is one of the important directions of the agricultural sector of our region. A big part of what you’re doing is filling our consumer market.”

In addition, the participants of the event were shown the Aquaculture laboratory of the Biological and Technological Faculty of the Sumy National University of Science and Technology.

As a result of such trainings, the following is expected: