Professional Orientation Visits to Schools in Lori Region

Within the framework of the Modernizing Vocational Education and Training in Agriculture in Armenia (MAVETA) project, professional orientation visits were conducted on February 13-14 at Tashir Primary Schools No. 1 and No. 2, and Stepanavan Primary Schools No. 3 and No. 6.

During the visits, MAVETA project VET consultant Lilit Beglaryan introduced students to the project’s objectives and the vocational programs offered at Stepanavan State Agricultural College through the dual education system. She highlighted the advantages of this approach, including hands-on training and strong partnerships between the college and employers.

The project’s private sector partners discussed the growing demand for skilled professionals in agriculture, particularly the shortage of veterinarians, dairy technologists, agricultural machinery technicians, and farm management specialists. They emphasized the importance of attracting and training qualified specialists to meet the industry’s needs.

Kamo Jilavyan, the college’s career guidance officer, provided an overview of the college’s programs, outlining the benefits of vocational education and the diverse career opportunities it offers.

More than 150 students participated in the sessions, engaging actively with questions about admission requirements and the duration of training for various specialties.

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).

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#IADAAM Comprehensive study – the basis of sustainable agriculture

“Irrigated Agriculture Development in Ararat and Armavir marzes” (IADAAM) Project’s Agricultural Extension Service international expert Wilhelm Kruse and national expert Paruyr Asatryan, before presenting the concept for the restoration of the agricultural extension system in the Republic of Armenia, a research tour was conducted, conducting an assessment of farmers’ needs, studying the food security situation in Armenia, issues of cooperation between stakeholders (governmental and non-governmental organizations, scientific research centers, farmers, agro-input supply and agro-service organizations) and the agricultural advisory service body.

IADAAM AEST experts, combining the information collected during the aforementioned research tour and previously: the experience of stakeholders in the field of agricultural extension services and training, existing success stories and reasons for failures, will soon present a concept for the restoration of the agricultural extension system in the Republic of Armenia.

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.

Professional Orientation Visit to Schools in Armavir Region

Within the framework of the Modernizing Vocational Education and Training in Agriculture in Armenia (MAVETA) project, a professional orientation visit was conducted on February 11 at Vagharshapat Primary Schools No. 9 and No. 1.

During the visit, MAVETA project VET consultant Lilit Beglaryan introduced pupils to the MAVETA project and the horticulture specialty offered at Echmiadzin Craftsman State College through dual education. She highlighted the college-employer collaboration and the increasing demand for specialists in almond, pistachio, and nut cultivation in the labor market.

Margarita Barseghyan, the college’s career guidance officer, provided an overview of the college’s programs, emphasizing the benefits of various vocational pathways.

More than 60 pupils participated in the sessions, actively engaging with questions about admission procedures and the duration of training for the presented specialties.

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).

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IADAAM meetings: Agricultural Extension Service experts met with various stakeholders

“Irrigated Agriculture Development in Ararat and Armavir marzes” (IADAAM) Project’s Agricultural Extension Service international expert Wilhelm Kruse and national expert Paruyr Asatryan, emphasizing the importance of training, research and innovations in agricultural extension service, had a series of meetings with various stakeholders, in particular Agrarian Policy and Economics Research Center of the Armenian National Agrarian University, Department of Agricultural Extension and Innovations, “Scientific Center of Vegetable and Industrial Crops” and “Center for Agribusiness and Rural Development” of the RA Ministry of Economy, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Center for Agribusiness and Rural Development (CARD).

IADAAM AEST experts discussed a number of vital issues with the stakeholders, such as the experience of the stakeholders in the field of extension and training, success stories and reasons for failures. The experts provided counseling on the concept of forming an agricultural extension system.

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.

Training on Gender Equality and Social Inclusion

Within the framework of the “Modernizing Vocational Education and Training in Agriculture in Armenia” (MAVETA) project, a training course on “Integrating Gender and Socially Sensitive Approaches in Agricultural Professions” was held in Lori region on January 30, conducted by Mariam Melikyan, gender equality expert at the Strategic Development Agency.

The training was attended by lecturers from MAVETA project partner Stepanavan State Agricultural College and Berd State Multifunctional College, as well as representatives of the private sector from Lori and Tavush regions.

The expert presented the current situation of gender equality in Armenia, international experience and trends. During interactive discussions and group work, the participants addressed the issues and challenges of gender and social integration of students studying in VET institutions, in particular, in agricultural professions.

The gender equality expert shared a number of practical tips for working effectively with representatives of vulnerable groups.

The discussion provided an opportunity to highlight the need for women’s involvement in agriculture, social inclusion, and increasing their role in public perceptions.

The training was attended by MAVETA Project Manager Lilit Hovhannisyan and VET Consultant Lilit Beglaryan.

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).