Case Study

Empowering Women in Ukraine’s Agricultural Sector

Building a Resilient, Inclusive Agricultural Sector in Ukraine
Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment

The Challenge

Ukraine’s agricultural sector is vital to the economy and rural livelihoods, especially for women. However, war and gender inequality have worsened access to finance, training, and markets for women, youth, internally displaced persons (IDPs), and people with disabilities. Conflict-related disruptions have further destabilized the sector and increased poverty.

Our Solution

Empowering Women to Rebuild Ukraine’s Economy Through Inclusive Agriculture

  • Women’s access to inputs: We facilitated distribution of inputs (seeds and fertilizers) to over 19,000 farms, many of which are being led by women while their husbands are mobilized to defend their country. An estimated $185 million in additional income for farmers through increased yields and crop sales allow farmers to stay in business despite the difficulties of war and to reinvest in the recovery of their farms, strengthen their self-reliance, and reduce dependence on further assistance.
  • Women’s leadership: We delivered training in agricultural practices, financial management, and market engagement, enabling women to lead within their communities and enterprises. Women made up 56% of participants in Chemonics-organized trainings and events, and 75% of recipients of food, seeds, and necessities delivered with our support in Ukraine were women.
  • Women’s entrepreneurship and employment: We helped women-led enterprises access low-cost credit, adopt new technologies, and increase productivity—enabling them to scale operations and reach broader markets. Chemonics launched two accelerator programs for agro-processing MSMEs led by women and other underrepresented groups, offering mentoring and business development support.
  • Networks and collaborative partnerships for equity: We collaborated with local stakeholders to build partnerships that promote sustainable development and gender equality. In Ukraine, we partnered with the NGO Council of Women Farmers and the Rural Women’s Business Network to identify needs and co-create solutions for women in agriculture.

The Impact

Transforming Agriculture into a Platform for Women’s Leadership and Recovery

Chemonics’ long-term engagement in Ukraine has helped transform the agricultural sector into a pathway for economic prosperity for all:

  • 14,258 MSMEs—including many women-led enterprises—benefited from financial inclusion services, improving their ability to invest in productivity, access credit, and weather economic shocks.
  • 34% of women reported improved household economic well-being as a result of Chemonics’ support in Ukraine’s agriculture sector—more than triple the original target.
  • Women made up 56% of participants in Chemonics-led trainings and 75% of recipients of seeds, fertilizers, and essentials—demonstrating their central role in agricultural recovery.
  • Over $10.7 million in co-funding opportunities supported 21 women-owned and/or managed enterprises to expand operations, adopt new technologies, and relocate to safer regions—helping them sustain livelihoods and create jobs.

By addressing systemic barriers and enabling access to resources, Chemonics is helping build a resilient, inclusive agricultural sector in Ukraine—one where women are leading recovery, driving innovation, and shaping long-term development.