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Ukrainian trainees explore agricultural innovations in Ravensburg

From September 3 to 5, 2024, a wide-ranging excursion took place for the Ukrainian trainees in the Ravensburg region, offering them exclusive insights into various agricultural institutions in the region. The three-day trip combined practical experiences with cultural highlights.

The excursion began on Tuesday with a meeting at Ravenburg Central Station. After everyone arrived at the meeting point by train, the group made their way to BayWa's wholesale fruit market. There, the trainees learned how fruit is delivered to BayWa, how it is weighed, sorted, stored and later distributed to the food markets for sale. The participants were particularly impressed by the way in which modern agricultural technologies were combined with traditional practices. After the BayWa fruit wholesale market, the trainees met for lunch in the center of Ravensburg. This time together gave them the opportunity to exchange experiences before the trainees enjoyed the lively atmosphere of the city in the afternoon.

On Wednesday, the next stop on the program was a tour of the Baden-Württemberg Cattle Union in Herbertingen. The trainees learned about bull breeding and evaluation techniques and gained an understanding of animal husbandry practices that are vital to sustainable agriculture. This experience highlighted innovative approaches to animal husbandry and how advances in this area can improve productivity.  In the afternoon, the group visited Lake Federsee, where they explored the Federsee Museum and took a walk through the Wackelwald forest. The museum, which is known for its collections on the region's prehistoric moors and the history of wetland farming, offered fascinating insights into the ecological importance of these areas. The trainees learned a lot about old farming techniques and how they have evolved over time. The hike through the wobbly forest provided an opportunity to enjoy the natural beauty of the area.  Later in the day, the trainees took part in a workshop where they discussed their report booklets.  This gave them the opportunity to reflect on what they had learned during the traineeship, share experiences and receive advice from the AKI team on how their report booklets should be handled.

On September 5, the last day, the group visited the Kompetenzzentrum Obstbau Bodensee (KOB) in Ravensburg. Here they learned about modern fruit-growing techniques and innovative processes that promote sustainable orchard management.

The excursion to the Ravensburg region not only deepened their understanding of agricultural practices in Germany, but also fostered a strong sense of community among the participants. The Ukrainian trainees returned home with new insights and experiences that will have a positive impact on their future professional path in agriculture.