Roman Diazhuk

Roman DIAZHUK

[ region ]

Odesa

Organic farmer, owner of the Danube Agrarian, Safiany village, Odesa Region

Agriculture remains a significant sector in Ukraine’s economy. It amounts to up to 16% GDP. It employs 20% of the country’s workforce. It represents 40% of the country’s exports. Despite its potential, organic farming uses up a mere 1% of Ukraine’s arable land.

Switzerland supports organic farming in Ukraine for the last 20 years with a focus on strengthening added value output for both domestic market and exports. Ukraine ranks second as a supplier of organic products to Europe.

Healthy food makes healthy people and a healthy country! It is all part of a complex and subtle ecosystem. This is what I keep repeating. Most people these days are ready to eat anything and they are not interested in organic food per se. So my first priority is to explain that our vegetables, our fruits and our meat are free of nitrates, free of any kind of pesticides and hardly more expensive than other products. All of this is guaranteed by the numerous certifications we obtained over the years. Thanks to our multiple partnerships with retail chains across the country, a growing number of Ukrainians understand that organic food is the best choice for them and for their children. We enjoy a special position on the Ukrainian market as we are the only ones to produce organic peaches and nectarines thanks to a favourable climate due to the location south of 45 ° latitude. Plus our square- and heart-shaped watermelons are popular hits!

Organic farming is possible through passion, long-term professionalism and our partners’ support.

Roman DIAZHUK

We did not climb to success alone. Our partners provided us with invaluable help through training and grants so that we may grow as an environmentally and socially responsible farm. It means that we do not work only for ourselves. On our 2,200 hectares, we work to keep our environment clean and to provide local workers with jobs close to their homes. We are also very open to share our knowledge with other farmers so that organic farming expands. It is not easy to obtain organic certifications and to live out of organic farming. Yet it is possible through passion, long-term professionalism and our partners’ support. In the end, it is absolutely worth it. Welcome to our organic paradise!

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