Zootechnologia LLC, a Ukrainian enterprise without foreign investments, is situated in the Kherson region. The farm started its work in 2005 by buying two pig complexes in Novoraysk village, Beryslav district (there is a sow unit now), and Vynohradovo village, Tsurupynsk district (a finishing unit) in the Kherson region. The basis of the reproductive herd are the double-breed hybrids Landrace — Big White. Terminal boars of the Duroc breed are used to produce commercial piglets.

One of the most sensitive steps in animal farming is the transportation. To minimise the stress of the animals during transport, the company invested in a modern specialised trailer through a leasing agreement for a €72,902 loan with OTPL. Apart from safer and more comfortable transport conditions for animals, the new vehicle is also more fuel-efficient and reliable.

The project was assessed under the Simplified Approach, which involved choosing the equipment from the pre-approved List of Eligible Technologies (LET). After the successful project verification, the company received 10 per cent of the loan value as a grant incentive, funded under the EU4Business initiative of the European Union. The project verification was carried out under the special COVID-19 rules set by the EU, which ensure that investment projects can be verified despite COVID restrictions and that investors can receive their grants. The timely verification and grant payment is important to all companies, but even more so to companies that contribute to safeguarding the food supply during these times.

With the investment, the company now meets a wide variety of European standards on motor vehicles and trailer safety.