Ukrainian farmer promotes healthy food and lifestyle through her flourishing green business

Green radish sprouts, carefully planted by 35-year-old Renata Hidi, are already sprouting from the ground in her large new greenhouse.

Renata is one of 280 Ukrainians who have received assistance in starting or expanding their businesses as a result of the “Economic Resilience for Conflict-Affected Households in Zakarpattia” project, funded by World Vision USA and implemented by World Vision's local partner, Dorcas Ukraine. 

She became interested in growing vegetables during her maternity leave. The family created a 30-meter foil tent using their own resources and a minor loan from friends.

In 2018, with a loan from one of Dorcas' partners, they replaced their wooden foil tent with a small greenhouse.

Renata and her husband have determination and work hard to achieve the desired results. Radishes have already been planted in January; we will see the outcomes in springtime.

At the outbreak of the war in February 2022, the family opted to stay in Ukraine despite uncertainties. Unfortunately, with the onset of the war, they had a staff shortage, leaving Renata, her husband and their three children without their primary source of income.

Recently, they reopened their small business, Dorcas helping them in purchasing a greenhouse to expand their crop production. Farming is now their sole source of income.

Renata loves her job since it allows her to look after both her children and her entire household at once. “This is an incredible help for us because we would not be able to buy such a big greenhouse ourselves,” she explains.

Renata underwent training under the guidance of an experienced coach, received the necessary support and advice from specialists on the development of her agricultural business.

"Renata and her husband have determination and work hard to achieve the desired results. Radishes have already been planted in January; we will see the outcomes in springtime," shares Melinda Baki-Kovach, Dorcas' career coach.

Now, the family survives solely on earnings from their green business, which grows and sells radishes, tomatoes, and cucumbers.

They anticipate a good harvest of seedlings, with more vegetables ready to plant in mid-April.

Fifty other vulnerable local families in the Zakarpattia region received from Dorcas in November 2023 educational materials to set up greenhouses, advisory services, linkages to markets and wholesale buyers, and marketing.

The demand for fresh vegetables, especially radish, cucumber, tomatoes, and peppers, is very high in Ukraine due to the reduced production from the Kherson region and the area affected by the Kakhovka dam destruction.

To date, World Vision Ukraine Crisis Response has reached more than 10,000 people with livelihood support services.
 

 Story by Tetiana Dolhiier, former Communications Officer I Photo by Dorcas