Contestant of the regional competition "Young Person of the Year – 2025" in the "Heart Devoted to the Donetsk Region" category Olha Viniukova
My name is Olha Viniukova. I am a senior researcher at the Donetsk State Agricultural Experimental Station of the National Academy of Agrarian Sciences of Ukraine. I began my scientific career in 2014 when I enrolled in postgraduate studies. In 2019, I successfully defended my Ph.D. in economics, and in 2024, I was awarded the academic title of Senior Researcher in Law. My scientific work is related to marketing research and the seed production of agricultural crop varieties from our scientific institution. I also participate in breeding work and am a co-author of 3 varieties of winter wheat and 4 varieties of spring barley. I have more than 30 scientific papers and 3 patents for utility models.
I took an active part in the evacuation and rescue of the Donetsk State Agricultural Experimental Station in 2014 from the village of Pisky. Our experimental fields were located on the western side of Donetsk airport. At that time, in 2014, 10 people managed to save the scientific institution by hand, rescuing the breeding and seed nurseries of winter wheat and spring barley. Starting in 2015, already in a new location, we actively restored our scientific potential, creating new varieties and accelerating their reproduction. The vast majority of the fields in the Donetsk region are sown with Donetsk-bred varieties of winter wheat and spring barley.
However, the war caught up with us again. In 2024, we had to relocate for a second time. We settled in the Dnipropetrovsk region, but we continue to multiply some of the seeds in the Donetsk region. I am in constant contact with and advise Donetsk agricultural producers on which grain varieties are best suited for their growing conditions.
Despite the difficult situation caused by the second move, all the scientists at our institution are working for results, providing producers in the region with high-quality seeds of the best varieties of grain crops. Our scientific developments are recognized not only in the region but also throughout the country and beyond.
Today, we are starting work on creating the largest demonstration platform in the east of the country, which will bring together scientists, advisors, and producers to demonstrate best practices for growing agricultural crops in the conditions of the steppe. This platform is aimed at stabilizing the production of agricultural products, which forms the food security of our country.
My developments and varieties, which are known to producers not only in the Donetsk region but also far beyond its borders, will take their part in this.