The Danube Soybean Association has announced the launch of the third season of the program to partially compensate Ukrainian farmers for the cost of original non-GM soybean seeds, the association’s press service reports.
“Over the two years of the project, we have seen real results: farmers get a significant increase in yields – an average of 10 c/ha more compared to the regional average. This proves that the use of original certified seeds is a long-term investment in the profitability and sustainable development of the farm,” said project manager Anastasia Radiuk, quoted by the press service.
The association reminded that for the third year in a row, this initiative has been helping agricultural producers to compensate 15% of the cost of original certified non-GM soybean seeds, supporting the transition to sustainable agricultural practices that meet European standards.
The program targets agricultural enterprises with an area of up to 1000 hectares that are not part of agricultural holdings and whose ultimate beneficiaries are Ukrainian citizens. The main condition for participation is the use of soybean varieties included in the State Register of Plant Varieties suitable for distribution in the country. In addition, project participants receive additional support, such as rapid tests to detect GMOs in soybeans and advice on certification in accordance with the non-GM standards of the Danube Soybean Association.
This season’s project is open to 15 farms from all over Ukraine, except for the territories where military operations are underway or temporarily occupied by the Russian Federation.
The project runs from May 10 to November 30. At the same time, applications will be accepted from May 10 to July 31, 2025. To participate, you need to fill out an application and provide documents confirming the purchase of certified seeds on the association’s website: https://www.donausoja.org/uk/soya-farmers-support-in-ukraine/.
According to Danube Soya, over the first two seasons, more than 50 farms from 12 regions of Ukraine joined the program and received more than UAH 2 million in compensation.
The Danube Soy Association is a non-profit, independent, membership-based organization headquartered in Vienna. The two certificates “Danube Soy” / “European Soy” are awarded to non-GM soy products of controlled origin and quality from the Danube Region and Europe.
The association has more than 330 members in 27 countries.
