AMES, Iowa — A 16-member delegation of Ukrainian seed sector leaders is in the United States for a two-week business-to-business (B2B) networking tour designed to strengthen Ukraine’s agricultural recovery. Hosted by the Seed Science Center at Iowa State University, the program brings together managers and specialists from seed companies, agricultural enterprises, industry associations, and government agencies.
The visit comes at a critical time. The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has severely disrupted Ukraine's agricultural systems, including its seed supply chains. In response, the United States Government funded Agriculture Growing Rural Opportunities (AGRO) Activity is supporting the creation of four regional seed centers to rebuild domestic seed production and delivery systems. AGRO is a multi-year initiative designed to support the recovery and modernization of Ukraine’s agricultural sector, with a particular focus on strengthening small and medium-sized agricultural enterprises and improving rural livelihoods. The regional seed centers aim to restore reliable access to high-quality seed for Ukrainian farmers while strengthening domestic seed production capacity.
The tour, organized and led by ISU-SSC, is designed to expose participants to advanced U.S. seed production, testing, and certification systems through hands-on site visits, laboratory tours, and workshops in one of the world’s most advanced seed industry ecosystems.
“This initiative is about cooperation and helping stabilize Ukraine’s seed sector at a critical time,” said Dr. Scott Heuchelin, director of the Seed Science Center. “We are working with Ukraine to better develop their seed sector, from genetics to testing, ensuring seed quality, and strengthening regulatory systems. All of these elements are essential to move seed effectively and support farmers and export markets.”
“There were already efforts to develop Ukraine’s seed sector prior to the war, but the conflict has made that work much more difficult,” Heuchelin said. “By helping strengthen their seed systems, we are supporting their agricultural productivity, which in turn supports economic recovery and food security.”
A key component of the partnership is a Memorandum of Cooperation and Understanding (MOU) between Iowa State University and Ukrainian Agri Council, a non-governmental association of more than 1,300 agricultural enterprises across Ukraine. The agreement formalizes collaboration and establishes a foundation for ongoing cooperation in research, training, and seed systems development.
“The MOU makes our relationship official and sets the groundwork for continued collaboration,” Heuchelin said. “It ensures that we can keep building this partnership and supporting Ukraine’s seed sector long-term.”
Participants will also work toward developing actionable plans to establish and manage four new regional seed centers in Ukraine, an important step in strengthening the national seed infrastructure and ensuring sustainability.
Dr. Lulu Rodriguez, Global Programs Lead at the Seed Science Center, emphasized the broader impact of the visit. “This exchange is about more than technical training, it’s about building lasting relationships and equipping our Ukrainian counterparts with the skills and tools they need to revitalize their seed industry under very difficult conditions,” Rodriguez said. “By connecting Ukrainian seed leaders with those of the U.S., we lay the groundwork for durable partnerships.”
“This work holds deep significance for us,” Heuchelin noted. “We are honored to contribute in a manner that supports Ukraine during this challenging period while building on the Seed Science Center’s longstanding commitment to global engagement.”
The AGRO Activity is funded by the U.S. Department of State's Office of the Coordinator of U.S. Assistance to Europe and Eurasia is being implemented by Chemonics International."
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Contacts:
Dr. Lulu Rodriguez – lulurod@iastate.edu
Dr. Scott Heuchelin – scotth3@iastate.edu
About the Iowa State University Seed Science Center
The Seed Science Center at Iowa State University is a global leader in seed research, education, technology transfer, and international programs. With more than a century of expertise, the Center supports seed quality, seed health, and seed system development worldwide.