On March 27, the “Analysis of Agricultural Departments within the RA Ministry of Economy” workshop was held at the Ministry of Economy of Armenia within the framework of the Irrigated Agriculture Development in Ararat and Armavir Marzes (IADAAM) project. The workshop was led by Ivana Dulić Marković, IADAAM Policy Expert, former Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Water Management and former Deputy Prime Minister of Serbia.

Key topics discussed:

✅ Comprehensive analysis of policy development and implementation processes

✅ Contemporary challenges and potential solutions

✅ The role of food safety and agricultural advisory services, including key functions and responsibilities

✅ Presentation of successful international practices and strategic recommendations

The workshop provided a crucial platform for exploring strategic pathways to enhance and advance the sector.

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

Within IADAAM project a technical assistance component is implemented jointly by Agriconsulting Europe S.A, Avenue Consulting Group, Strategic Development Agency NGO and 3R Strategy LLC consortium and aims to provide institutional support to the Ministry of Economy (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 “Modernizing Vocational Education and Training in Agriculture in Armenia” (MAVETA) project, the “Strategic Development Agency” NGO provided a minibus to ANAU A. Kochinyan Agricultural College on March 26.

The official handover ceremony was attended by Armenuhi Poghosyan, Head of the Department of Preliminary (Craftsman) and Vocational Education at the RA Ministry of Education, Science and Sports, Hrachya Zakoyan, Acting Rector of ANAU, Vardan Vardanyan, Director of ANAU A. Kochinyan Agricultural College, MAVETA project private sector partners, teachers and students.

Welcoming the attendees, MAVETA Project Manager Lilit Hovhannisyan highlighted the project’s continued efforts in modernizing agricultural education, strengthening college-employer ties, aligning training with labor market demands, and integrating international best practices into Armenia’s vocational education sector.

In her speech, Armenuhi Poghosyan emphasized the MAVETA Project’s crucial role in modernizing vocational education and training (VET) and introducing a dual education system in state-recognized priority agricultural professions.

Hrachya Zakoyan expressed gratitude for the MAVETA Project’s ongoing support in enhancing the capacities of ANAU’s VET institutions both in Yerevan and Sisian. On behalf of ANAU, he presented a Certificate of Appreciation to the “Strategic Development Agency” NGO.

Vardan Vardanyan, Director of ANAU A. Kochinyan Agricultural College, underscored the project’s role in strengthening the college’s capabilities, promoting practical training for students, and advancing innovative agricultural practices.

The MAVETA project is funded by a broad coalition of international and local organizations led by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), including the Austrian Development Agency, the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the Government of Armenia, the Swiss Church Aid (HEKS/EPER) NGO, Izmirlian Foundation, the Strategic Development Agency (SDA) NGO and Vanand Agro CJSC.

The project’s implementing partners are the GIZ and HEKS/EPER with the involvement of SDA and the School of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences at the Bern University of Applied Sciences (HAFL).