Within the framework of the “Irrigated Agriculture Development in Ararat and Armavir Marzes” (IADAAM) program, a focus group discussion (FGD) was held in Norakert and Baghramyan communities of Armavir marz to assess the needs and experiences of local farmers. The target groups included farmers who cultivate:

1. a) up to 1 hectare of land, and
2. b) at least 1 hectare or more.

The discussions were organized with the support of IADAAM Agricultural Extension Service (AEST) Armavir team. The focus group survey and assessment were carried out by IADAAM AEST consultant Aram Zakaryan, selected from the IADAAM AEST teams.

The primary objective of these focus group discussions was to identify the needs and experiences of beneficiary farmers in order to enhance IADAAM project’s interventions and to propose tailored solutions based on the farmers’ expressed priorities. Additionally, they served to evaluate the current state of advisory services, uncover existing challenges, and inform the development of future support mechanisms. FGDs were conducted using a specially developed guideline, adapted to address key sectoral challenges and enabling in-depth analysis and the formulation of evidence-based recommendations.

Irrigated Agriculture Development in Ararat and Armavir marzes (IADAAM) project, financed through the European Union (EU) with implementation by the French Development Agency (Agence Française de Développement) is an integrated initiative aimed at transforming irrigated agriculture in Armenia.

Within IADAAM project a technical assistance component is implemented jointly by AESA – Agriconsulting Europe SA, Avenue Consulting Group LLC, Strategic Development Agency NGO and 3R Strategy LLC consortium and aims to provide institutional support to the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia (MoE) in the formulation of agricultural policies and reforms in priority areas, provide technical support to the MoE in the implementing project activities, ensure communication and reporting for the IADAAM project.

Within the framework of the cooperation between RECONOMY’s Digitalizing Sectors for Competitiveness and Living Landscapes for Market Development in Armenia (LILA) projects, a group of Armenian tour operators is in Moldova on a familiarization (fam) tour from May 12 to 17.

As part of the fam tour, a meeting was held on May 15 with Moldovan partners, with the participation of tour operators affiliated with RECONOMY and LILA projects – Nueva Vista, AM Travel, and Luxury Voyage.

During the meeting, participants discussed the development of regional tourism and explored the opportunities for creating and developing tour packages between Armenia and Moldova. Special emphasis was placed on the existence of effective cooperation channels, which are being further strengthened through the ongoing familiarization (fam) tour to Moldova.

Afterwards, the Armenian delegation participated as a special guest in the annual conference of the Antrim National Inbound and Outbound Tourism Association in Chisinau. Mekhak Apresyan, RECONOMY project partner and President of the «Armenian Tourism Federation», delivered a speech highlighting the ongoing initiatives and key prerequisites for advancing regional tourism cooperation.

The fam tour will continue across Moldova’s tourist destinations, providing Armenian tour operators with the opportunity to explore the uniques features of  regional tourism offerings.

RECONOMY is an inclusive and green economic development program of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), implemented by Helvetas in partnership with the Strategic Development Agency NGO and others in the Eastern Partnership and Western Balkan countries.

Living Landscapes for Market Development in Armenia (LILA) project is funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and implemented by WWF-Armenia in collaboration with SDA NGO.