{"id":7859,"date":"2025-10-07T17:36:12","date_gmt":"2025-10-07T14:36:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/frendt.ua\/?p=7859"},"modified":"2025-10-07T17:41:34","modified_gmt":"2025-10-07T14:41:34","slug":"accessible-precision-farming-how-ukrainian-farmers-can-embrace-technology-with-minimal-costs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/frendt.ua\/en\/accessible-precision-farming-how-ukrainian-farmers-can-embrace-technology-with-minimal-costs\/","title":{"rendered":"Accessible Precision Farming: How Ukrainian Farmers Can Embrace Technology with Minimal Costs"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The profitability of agribusiness today depends not only on yields but also on the efficiency of resource use. Precision farming proves that innovation allows farmers to reduce costs while increasing profitability. Yet for many farms, the main barrier remains the cost of technology and the fear of large investments.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The solution lies in the right financial models. State-supported loans, leasing, online installment plans, and grants make it possible to implement innovations gradually, without overburdening the budget. In this article, we\u2019ll review the most accessible tools, including examples of FRENDT\u2019s partnership programs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-7754 alignnone lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/frendt.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/avtopiloty-15-1024x538.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"538\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/frendt.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/avtopiloty-15-1024x538.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/frendt.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/avtopiloty-15-300x158.jpg 300w, https:\/\/frendt.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/avtopiloty-15-768x403.jpg 768w, https:\/\/frendt.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/avtopiloty-15-624x328.jpg 624w, https:\/\/frendt.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/avtopiloty-15.jpg 1200w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/538;\" \/><\/p>\n<h3><b>1. Bank Financing: FRENDT + OTP Bank<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In cooperation with <\/span><b>OTP Bank<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, we have launched a financing program for purchasing the <\/span><b>ARA sprayer by Ecorobotix<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 an AI-based technology that can reduce pesticide use by up to <\/span><b>95%<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, lower emissions, and ensure compliance with <\/span><b>EU environmental standards<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Financing conditions:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Loan term up to <\/span><b>5 years<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>7% annual interest rate<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in UAH (may be reduced to <\/span><b>5%<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> when creating new jobs)<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Compatible with the <\/span><b>\u201cAffordable Loans 5-7-9%\u201d<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> state program<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No one-time commission or mandatory collateral insurance for the farmer<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>10% cashback<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from the <\/span><b>EBRD<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The program is available to agricultural producers with <\/span><b>at least three seasons of experience<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and a <\/span><b>land bank of 200+ hectares<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This is a solution for those focused on <\/span><b>long-term investments<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>2. Online Installment Plan: FRENDT + WEAGRO<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To access technology quickly \u2013 without collateral or lengthy bank procedures \u2013 we offer an <\/span><b>online installment plan<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> through <\/span><b>WEAGRO<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Benefits for farmers:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Decision within 30 minutes<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fully <\/span><b>digital process<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, no office visits<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Up to <\/span><b>UAH 5 million<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for a term of <\/span><b>up to 270 days<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No collateral or currency risks<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Transparent, fixed payment schedule<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Farmers simply sign the contract, receive the equipment, and pay from future harvest income. It\u2019s an ideal tool for <\/span><b>fast decisions<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>seasonal needs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>3. Equipment Leasing: FRENDT + ESKA Capital<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another flexible option is <\/span><b>leasing through ESKA Capital<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2014 a practical solution for those looking to <\/span><b>upgrade their machinery fleet gradually<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> without heavy upfront costs.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Advantages of leasing:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Minimal initial financial burden<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Use the equipment today with <\/span><b>future ownership rights<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Payment schedules <\/span><b>adapted to seasonal income<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Simplified paperwork<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, free from bureaucracy<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Leasing is the \u201cgolden mean\u201d between a loan and a short-term installment plan \u2013 an ideal format for <\/span><b>medium-sized farms<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b>4. Grants and International Programs<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Grant financing has become one of the most powerful development tools for agribusiness \u2013 especially for those who want to modernize without taking on debt. These are funds <\/span><b>that do not need to be repaid<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, provided the farm meets program requirements and demonstrates effective use of funds.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>The most relevant sources of grant support today include:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft f\u00fcr Internationale Zusammenarbeit, Germany)<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Funds projects aimed at improving energy efficiency, developing agricultural value chains, and implementing digital technologies in farming. GIZ programs often focus on small and medium-sized enterprises, providing access to modern tools and training.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Horizon Europe<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The EU\u2019s research and innovation program that supports projects in <\/span><b>digitalization, AI applications, precision agriculture, green technologies<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and the development of <\/span><b>agroecosystems<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>EIT Food (European Institute of Innovation and Technology)<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Provides funding for innovative food and agricultural projects \u2013 from <\/span><b>new crop nutrition approaches<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to <\/span><b>reducing food waste<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations)<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Regularly launches grant and sub-grant programs supporting <\/span><b>small and medium-sized farmers in Ukraine<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 from purchasing equipment and seeds to adopting precision farming practices.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>EBRD (European Bank for Reconstruction and Development)<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Beyond cashback in partner programs (such as with OTP Bank), EBRD provides <\/span><b>grant and technical assistance<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to enterprises implementing innovations and green technologies.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>IFC (International Finance Corporation, World Bank Group)<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Runs programs that fund <\/span><b>productivity improvement<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>energy-efficient solutions<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><b>sustainable farming technologies<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>EU4Business (EU + EBRD)<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Provides <\/span><b>grants to SMEs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, including agricultural ones, for business digitalization, market expansion, and innovation implementation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Rebuild Ukraine Facility<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Offers targeted grants for farmers and processing enterprises modernizing production, integrating renewable energy, or rebuilding infrastructure after destruction.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>EU Regional Programs (Cross-Border Cooperation \/ Interreg)<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Support agribusiness innovation, smart technologies, and sustainable farming practices.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Ukrainian State Grant Programs<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Focused on <\/span><b>horticulture, greenhouses, processing, and innovation<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, these programs aim to create jobs and support export-oriented growth.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Post-War Recovery Funds for Ukraine<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Provide financing for <\/span><b>restoring agricultural infrastructure, modernizing equipment<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and implementing <\/span><b>eco-projects<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for regional recovery.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><b>How to Prepare a Successful Grant Application<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-7758 alignnone lazyload\" data-src=\"https:\/\/frendt.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/help-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/frendt.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/help-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/frendt.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/help-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/frendt.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/help-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/frendt.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/help-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/frendt.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/help-624x351.jpg 624w, https:\/\/frendt.ua\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/help.jpg 1920w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/576;\" \/><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To receive a grant, a farm must be <\/span><b>well-prepared<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Business plan:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> a clear document with financial calculations, yield forecasts, and a description of planned innovations.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Transparent growth model:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> donors fund only farms that show a clear and realistic development path.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Alignment with program priorities:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for instance, GIZ focuses on energy efficiency, while Horizon Europe prioritizes digitalization and innovation.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Readiness for reporting:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> all expenses must be transparent and properly documented.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Social and environmental impact:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> the more benefits a project brings to communities and the environment, the higher its chances of funding.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Strong team:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> donors fund not just ideas, but the people who can bring them to life \u2013 with defined roles and responsibilities.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Relevance of initiatives:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> apply only for grants that address <\/span><b>real needs<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> of the farm, not for every available opportunity.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Step-by-step implementation plan:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> a clear roadmap from equipment purchase and staff training to technology integration and performance monitoring.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The key advantage of this tool is <\/span><b>non-repayable funding<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 that\u2019s why grants are among the most <\/span><b>strategic and attractive options<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for Ukrainian farmers seeking to adopt precision farming, expand production, and enter new markets.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Today, Ukrainian farmers have a unique opportunity to combine <\/span><b>innovative technologies<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with <\/span><b>flexible financial instruments<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. This approach transforms precision farming from a one-time investment into a <\/span><b>gradual transformation process<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The main advantage is <\/span><b>choice<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2013 every farmer can find the best entry model based on their size, resources, and strategic goals.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">At the same time, the rise of <\/span><b>partnership programs and grant support<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> takes Ukraine\u2019s agribusiness to a new level \u2013 one where technology becomes <\/span><b>accessible<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and development is <\/span><b>predictable and sustainable<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Precision farming is no longer just a trend \u2013 it\u2019s the new standard of modern agribusiness, defining its <\/span><b>competitiveness for the future<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"margin-top: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px;\" class=\"sharethis-inline-share-buttons\" ><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The profitability of agribusiness today depends not only on yields but also on the efficiency of resource use. Precision farming proves that innovation allows farmers to reduce costs while increasing profitability. Yet for many farms, the main barrier remains the cost of technology and the fear of large investments.<br \/>\nThe solution lies in the right financial models. State-supported loans, leasing, online installment plans, and grants make it possible to implement innovations gradually, without overburdening the budget. In this article, we\u2019ll review the most accessible tools, including examples of FRENDT\u2019s partnership programs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":7754,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[69],"class_list":["post-7859","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/frendt.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7859","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/frendt.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/frendt.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/frendt.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/frendt.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7859"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/frendt.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7859\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7863,"href":"https:\/\/frendt.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7859\/revisions\/7863"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/frendt.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7754"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/frendt.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7859"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/frendt.ua\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7859"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}