02 Nov
HomePageARM, HomePageARM, HomePageARM, HomePageARM, HomePageARM, NEWSARM

The official opening of the educational laboratory of “Bread, pastry and chocolate production”

The official opening ceremony of the educational laboratory of “Bread, pastry and chocolate production” took place on November 2, 2021 at Armenian National Agrarian University with the participation of their relevant teaching staff (administrative staff, lecturers, representatives of scientific centers) and private sector representatives active in the very field. The newly opened laboratory equipped with modern technologies will give an opportunity for non-formal training in “Bakery and Chocolate Production”. The project aims to train young people and women equipped with the knowledge and skills matching the current needs of the labor market (LM) so that they could find their own place in the LM and/or establish their own small factory.

The above mentioned has become a reality with the support of the “Skills, knowledge and intermediation development” pilot project implemented by the Strategic Development Agency (SDA) NGO  within the framework of RECONOMY – a regional inclusive and green economic development program of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), implemented by HELVETAS Swiss Interco operation.

28 Oct
HomePageENG, SuccessStoriesARM, SuccessStoriesENG

«Diligence as a boost to prosperity»

Dustrik Galstyan, a 51-year-old farmer, lives in the settlement of Artavan of Zaritap community, Vayots Dzor region, with her son and sister-in-law. Dustrik never cease to develop and improve herself despite her many responsibilites within her family.

Within the framework of the project implemented by the Strategic Development Agency NGO, Dustrik, along with other women, received professional consultations, which helped her improve her knowledge on farm management.

With the support of the program, she participated in various agricultural food festivals, which provided an opportunity to not only generate additional income, but also to gain trust, information and exchange experience.

«I have always been involved in cattle breeding as a way of helping my husband. And now thanks to the workshops, I have gained the knowedge necessary and apply 80% of the consultations to the procedures. I even do monthly calculations, I calculate expenses and incomes, I take notes. Before participating in the program, I had 12 cattle, of which 5 were dairy cows, today I have increased that number to 22, of which 10 are dairy cows,” says Dustrik.

«Only diligence and aspiration bring results. If you increase the number of cattle, you automatically increase the number of profit. As a result of my work, my family’s budget increased, I was able to host a big wedding for my daughters. Courage is half the battle, I say from my experience, because thanks to my courage I was able to achieve many challenges  and I will still achieve them. In addition to cattle breeding, I am engaged in agro-tourism, through which I introduce my guests to rural life and traditions.

Livestock is an integral part of tourism, the tourists that I host usually participate in the milking process, animal feeding and baking. They appreciate the opportunity to use traditional rural products».

27 Oct
HomePageENG, SuccessStoriesARM, SuccessStoriesENG

Passion is the Key to Success

The Kurghinyan family of 5 lives in Shirak marze’s Krasar village. The family is mainly involved in the livestock sector, never having the need to leave the country and work abroad. The youngsters of the family, after graduating school, have started helping their parents in the farm.

The family has been working in cattle breeding for a while. During the first period, the family owned 6 cows, however after the fall of the Soviet Union, they decided to increase the number of livestock.

«We renovated my husband’s grandfather’s old barns, and we increased the number of livestock. We brought a number of livestock and after getting informed about the Project we decided to apply, as we met the requirements» – Hasmik told.

The family gives the milk produced in the farm to Amasia cheese factory. It is essential to mention, that Amasia cheese factory is a beneficiary to the Project «Livestock Development in Armenia: South-North», for this exact reason, the latter has invited the family to a number of meetings. «We appreciated the fact that the Project supports farmers. We are also aware, that within the framework of the Project, a number of veterinary points were created in different communities. The establishment of veterinary points ameliorated the access to quality veterinary services, the veterinarian is now more accessible and the necessary medicine is more affordable»

Mrs Kurghinyan’s husband, on several occasions, has participated to the educational workshops organized by SDA NGO. Improvement of infrastructure (improvement of pastures, installation of troughs) enabled more success in the livestock sector. The family’s plans include the organization of an automated manure removal system. Taking advantage of the effectiveness of the training, the family even expressed a desire to grow the farm. In Hasmik’s words: «If you do any work with passion, you will definitely succeed. If you do it reluctantly then, you will not succeed in that work».

15 Oct
NEWSARM, NEWSARM

Adventure Hike in Lori for future guides

On October 9 of 2021, Strategic Development Agency NGO, with the support of Sida’s partner HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation, organized an adventure hike in Lori within the framework of the “Skills, Knowledge and Intermediation Development” pilot project. The project partner is the well-known “Association of Armenian Mountaineers” NGO.

Prior to the hike, the participants were provided with some information on hiking tourism and were presented the general rules and instructions for participation.

40 adventurous youth and women who want to become guides and run adventure hikes in the future took part in the hiking. During the event the participants hiked (14-15 km) to Surb Nshan Church of the medieval Monastry Horomayr and Kobayravank.

In order the participants have real fun and get the allowable dose of adrenaline, the hike was concluded with an extreme sport – rafting. It was organized for all the participants providing them with the opportunity to enjoy the adventure tourism by rafting on the Debed River for 1.5 hours.

The participants were very pleased; already during the hike some of them were thinking of developing their hiking road maps and conducting hikes in their regions.

14 Oct
Uncategorized

A round table discussion on “Cheesemaking Challenges in Armenia and the role of Armenia’s Cheesemakers’ Union”

On October 14, a round table discussion on “Cheesemaking Challenges in Armenia and the role of Armenia’s Cheesemakers’ Union” was organized within the framework of the “Skills, Knowledge and Intermediation Development” pilot project implemented by the Strategic Development Agency (SDA) NGO and financed by HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation-cooperating partner to Sida.

Representatives from 25 milk processing companies from different regions of Armenia, Armenia’s Cheesemakers’ Union, and SDA NGO were amongst the participants.

During the first part of the meeting, the role of the Cheesemakers’ Union and the main directions of activities in the coming years were discussed. As well as the details of the courses offered by the union and other benefits/conditions of joining the union were introduced.

The second part outlined the challenges in the cheese industry and the preconditions to improve export conditions.

The meeting was finalized with the official signing ceremony of the union membership applications.

‹12345›»