On October 27-28, with the support of the Ministry of Economy of RA and the two projects implemented by  the “Strategic Development Agency” NGO: “Livestock Development in Armenia: South-North 2” and “Modernizing Vocational Education and Training in Agriculture in Armenia” (MAVETA) projects a training was organized on the topic “Pedigree Management”.

The purpose of the training was to introduce farmers with the format of initial livestock registration and the principles of high-value pedigree registration, as well as the state support programs implemented in the livestock sector and the procedure for applying to them. The training was attended by the representatives of large livestock farming households from Syunik, Lori, Tavush, Gegharkunik and Shirak marzes of RA.

The training was started by the welcoming speech of the Deputy Minister of Economyof  RA, Mrs. Ashkhen Shirvanyan, who thanked the participants and the “Strategic Development Agency” NGO for supporting the initiatives related to the livestock sector. Mrs. Shirvanyan spoke about the necessity of this training  and expressed hope that this training will contribute to increasing the number of pedigree animals in Armenia.

Mkrtich Ayvazyan, the chairman of the “Strategic Development Agency” NGO, also delivered a welcoming speech, and noted that the organization has always kept the issues related to animal husbandry in the loop and supported their solution. “Today it is imperative to unite all the resources of private, state and international projects for development of the sector and our country,”- said Mr. Ayvazyan.

On the first day of the training, Ashot Hovhannisyan, an expert from the RA Ministry of Economy, presented to the participants the format of initial livestock registration and the process of applying for the pedigree cards.

Tatevik Sargsyan, Head of the Agricultural Animal Breeding Department of the RA Ministry of Economy, presented to the participants the state support programs implemented in the field of livestock breeding and the procedure for applying to them.

During the two-day training, the importance of women’s involvement in the field of agriculture and the promotion of their role in the development of the sector were also discussed. The training was held in an atmosphere of active discussion.

From October 15-22, within the framework of the  “Modernizing Vocational Education and Training in Agriculture in Armenia” (MAVETA) project, the  “Strategic Development Agency” NGO and the the School of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences at the Bern University of Applied Sciences (HAFL) organized one-week experience exchange visit to the Swiss Confederation for the working group members, developing the educational curriculum for fruit and nut orchard worker.

The visit’s main goal was to familiarize participants with the Swiss VET dual education system and curriculum development process. The participants had the chance to tour horticulture and fruit farms and learn more about the nuances of how dual education is implemented and how apprentices are included in the working operations.

During the visit, the participants of the working group also shared their experience and demonstrated the pruning of fruit trees. The participants discussed and drew parallels between the characteristics of fruit tree cultivation in Armenia and Switzerland.

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).