18 Mar
Uncategorized

IADAAM Strengthening Agricultural Extension in Armenia: A New Vision

“Irrigated Agriculture Development in Ararat and Armavir marzes” (IADAAM) Project continues to work towards modernizing the agricultural extension system, bridging the gap between research, technology, and farmers, and fostering a more resilient and competitive agricultural sector in Armenia.

Paruyr Asatryan, IADAAM project’s Agricultural Extension Service (AEST) national expert, presented a visionary concept aimed at establishing a sustainable agricultural extension system in Ararat and Armavir marzes. During a dedicated session with IADAAM AEST team – coordinators and advisers, organized to collect feedback and fine-tune the concept of AEST establishment, Asatryan outlined key strategic principles to build the extension services, ensuring that farmers receive demand-driven, innovative, science-backed, and practice-specific and environment-specific agricultural support.

In the next phase, the IADAAM project will start presenting the concept for establishing a sustainable agricultural extension system to target communities, engaging local authorities in discussions to ensure effective implementation at the community level. Stay tuned for further developments as this initiative takes shape!

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 the IADAAM project a technical assistance component is implemented jointly by Agriconsulting Europe S.A, Avenue Consulting Group LLC, 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.

18 Mar
NEWSARM, NEWSENG, NEWSENG, NEWSENG, NEWSENG, NEWSENG

RECONOMYxLILA Focus Group Meeting on Regional Tourism Development

Within the framework of the RECONOMY’s “Digitizing Sectors for Competitiveness” and “Living Landscapes for Market Development in Armenia” (LILA) projects a focus group meeting on “Regional Tourism Development” was held on March 14. The meeting included participation from Armenian inbound tour operators.

Mher Sahakyan, Project Manager of “Digitizing Sectors for Competitiveness,” and Alla Ghazaryan, LILA Project Coordinator, presented the scopes of activities of the projects and their interest in the development of regional tourism.

Participants of the focus group discussed the current challenges facing the inbound tourism sector in Armenia, drawing comparisons with other countries in the region.

The meeting concluded with discussions on the prospects for regional tourism development and realistic actionable steps forward.

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

The Living Landscapes for Market Development in Armenia LILA is a conservation and sustainable tourism development project, which is implemented by the World Wide Fund for Nature Armenian office (WWF Armenia) and the Strategic Development Agency NGO (SDA). The project is funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

17 Mar
Uncategorized

Presenting the Structure and Key Issues of the Land Consolidation Process within IADAAM Project

As part of the IADAAM project’s ongoing efforts to promote sustainable land management and agricultural development, the project’s land consolidation international expert Niels Otto Haldrup gave a presentation on “Structure and Key Issues in the Land Consolidation Process” to the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia.

During the presentation, key aspects of land consolidation were discussed, including strategies for addressing land fragmentation, optimizing land use efficiency, and enhancing rural development. IADAAM project’s land consolidation expert highlighted international best practices, legal frameworks and represented some policy recommendations tailored to Armenia’s specific agricultural landscape.

The discussion provided a platform for engaging with government representatives on the challenges and opportunities associated with land consolidation. Emphasis was placed on the importance of transparent, inclusive decision-making to ensure that land consolidation efforts align with national priorities and benefit rural communities.

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 the 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.

17 Mar
Uncategorized

MAVETAtalks: Women in VET and Agriculture Discussions in the South

Within the framework of the Modernizing Vocational Education and Training in Agriculture in Armenia (MAVETA) project, a two-day event titled “MAVETAtalks: Women in VET and Agriculture» took place in Jermuk on March 12-13. The event brought together students and lecturers from Yerevan College of ANAU, Sisian branche of ANAU, Goris State Agricultural College and Echmiadzin Craftsman State School and pupils of Syunik marz, alongside private sector representatives.

The event aimed to increase interest among pupils from Syunik marz in agricultural professions, showcasing the sector’s advantages and the growing demand for skilled specialists.

Lilit Beglaryan, VET Consultant for the MAVETA project, introduced the dual education and professions launched within the project and highlighted key achievements.

During the MAVETAtalks presentations, VET and private sector representatives shared their experiences, successes, and motivational insights.

The second part of the event featured a panel discussion titled “Gender Equality in VET: Overcoming Barriers and Creating Opportunities in Agriculture.” Mariam Melikyan, Gender Equality Expert at the Strategic Development Agency NGO, presented data on gender equality and social inclusion in Armenia, comparing it with international trends.

Participants then explored gender stereotypes in agricultural professions and discussed the importance of adopting gender-sensitive approaches in the sector.

To conclude, schoolchildren engaged in a role-playing activity, expressing their thoughts and ideas about careers in agriculture, making the event both educational and interactive․

Special thanks to the Staff of Syunik Governor of the RA for ensuring the participation of students during the regional event.

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).

12 Mar
NEWSARM, NEWSARM, NEWSARM, NEWSARM

IADAAM Project’s Land Consolidation Experts Engage with Stakeholders and Farmers

“Irrigated Agriculture Development in Ararat and Armavir marzes” (IADAAM) project continues to make significant strides in promoting sustainable land management and agricultural development. As part of the ongoing efforts under the IADAAM project, land consolidation experts recently held a series of consultations with various stakeholders and farmers to discuss innovative solutions for improving land use efficiency and fostering sustainable agricultural development.

During these meetings, experts engaged in meaningful discussions with farmers, local authorities, and agricultural organizations to address key challenges related to fragmented land ownership. The goal was to explore strategies that enhance productivity, facilitate infrastructure development, and ensure fair and transparent land consolidation processes.

Farmers had the opportunity to share their experiences, voice concerns, and gain insights into how land consolidation can create long-term benefits, including better access to resources, enhanced irrigation systems, and increased market opportunities. Stakeholders, in turn, emphasized the importance of collaborative and transparent decision-making to ensure that consolidation efforts align with local needs and priorities.

IADAAM project remains committed to fostering sustainable land governance and strengthening rural communities through strategic land consolidation. These engagements mark an essential step toward fostering a more structured and productive agricultural landscape.

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 the IADAAM project a technical assistance component is implemented jointly by Agriconsulting Europe S.A, Avenue Consulting Group LLC, 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.

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