Ukrainian government officials visit a greenhouse cultivating strawberries in Higashimatsushima, Miyagi Prefecture, constructed after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.
MIYAGI, April 20 — Senior officials of the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine visited Miyagi Prefecture on April 19 to inspect farming areas, such as large-scale greenhouse horticulture, which were restored from the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake.
As Ukrainian industries including the farming sector suffer great damage from Russia’s military invasion, the officials said horticultural agriculture can become a source of employment, adding that they hope to learn from efforts made in Japan.
Deputy Minister Markiyan Dmytrasevych and four other officials were invited to Japan by the Japan International Cooperation Agency as part of measures to support Ukraine’s reconstruction.
They visited greenhouses growing strawberries and cucumbers in the city of Higashimatsushima, the area which was restored after suffering damage from tsunami.
Local farmers explained how the greenhouses were built during reconstruction of the area on more than a hectare of land which used to be rice paddies.
During the visit, the Ukrainian officials said large-scale greenhouse horticulture needs considerable number of workers and it might work effectively to provide employment opportunities for people returning after evacuating abroad or to other parts of the country due to the war.