07 Dec
HomePageARM, NEWSARM

Switzerland launches reform project – CHF 7’130’000 for the modernization of Vocational Education System in Agriculture of Armenia

On December 3, 2021, Switzerland launches a long-term development project to assist Armenia in its efforts of modernizing its Vocational Education System in agriculture. The Swiss Development Cooperation approved in principle a support program to Armenia with a total amount of CHF 7’130’000.
The project will be executed in the Southern Syunik and Vayots Dzor and several Northern regions. The phase of implementation will last at least for 8 years, with a preparatory phase of 9 months.
The reform will be implemented by the Swiss NGO HEKS, the Armenian NGO SDA as well as the German Corporation for International Cooperation GIZ, under the overall coordination of the Government of Armenia.
The project aims to improve employment opportunities of youth living in rural areas by the means of combining theoretical knowledge with practical training in a selected number of professions. Part of the reform is that along with receiving theoretical knowledge at vocational education collages, the students shall get an opportunity to improve their skills in local companies and farms. Their training paths will conclude with a state diploma.
To increase the project’s impact and effectiveness, Switzerland cooperates with a wide range of partners: the Government of Armenia, international organizations, the public and private sectors, and academic institutions. Other funding partners, who add significant funds to the Swiss contribution, include the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development BMZ, the Austrian Development Agency ADA, the Armenian Izmirilian Foundation and some private companies in Armenia. Some of these contributions are subject to a final approval.

26 Nov
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“Practical cheesemaking” training in Lori region

On November 23-26, 2021, “Practical cheesemaking” training was conducted in Lori region by Armenia’s Cheesemakers’ Union, the partner of SDA NGO, within the framework of the “Skills, Knowledge and Intermediation Development” pilot project.

The participants gained sufficient theoretical knowledge about the general technological process of cheese production and all components of cheesemaking during the 4-day training.

In parallel with the theoretical lessons, group visits at “Vigen Grigoryan” Private Entrepreneur and “Grand Milk” cheese factories were organized. In real working conditions, it enables the participants to further strengthen their skills from milk collection to the process of cheese making and tasting.

As a result of the training the participants had an opportunity to specialize in cheese production technology, moreover, to initiate their own small businesses using the knowledge and skills acquired in the field of cheese production.

The pilot project is implemented by Strategic Development Agency (SDA) NGO in the framework of #RECONOMY – a regional inclusive and green economic development program of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), implemented by HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation.

25 Nov
NEWSENG, NEWSENG, NEWSENG, NEWSENG, NEWSENG

A training course on “Modern approaches in the field of veterinary parasitology” Copy

On November 24-25, 2021, in the Syunik Animal Market, within the framework of the “Livestock Development in the South of Armenia”  project funded by the “Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation” and implemented by the “Strategic Development Agency” NGO, a training course for veterinarians on “Modern approaches in veterinary parasitology” was held. The two-day training was conducted by the invited specialist Oleg Shcherbakov.

The training was attended by 24 veterinarians, the participants of the first day were the veterinarians from Goris and Sisian of the Syunik marz, and the participants of the second day were the veterinarians from Vayots Dzor marz and Kapan.

The aim of the course was to introduce to the regional specialists the modern methods of diagnostic research carried out within the framework of veterinary parasitology and procedures, as a result of which veterinarians with new knowledge will be able to accurately and quickly diagnose parasitic diseases in CECs, some of which are zoonotic diseases.

The training was conducted in practical conditions, by presenting the order of sampling from cattle, preparing the samples and examining them under a microscope. The participants were very active and enthusiastic about the meeting. Many practical questions were raised. Some also wondered how much investment would be required to have such a small laboratory facility.

 

23 Nov
SuccessStoriesENG

Thanks to large family members’ joint efforts the common goal became a reality

Vayots Dzor marz’s Yelpin settlement would not be any different from other settlements in the region and in Armenia if a unique cheese factory had not been established there.

“Yerpin” agricultural cooperative that presents its products in the market under the “ArtCheese” brand started cheese production in 2016 with the involvement of 3 employees. One of the founders of the cooperative, Arthur Nazaryan, has taken over the management of the cheese factory, and the other members of the cooperative are involved in the processes of milk production and product processing. Over the years, the number of employees has increased to ten. The factory collects milk from the marz’s farmers and it is a stable source of income for about 35 farms.

With the support of the “Livestock Development in the South of Armenia” project implemented by the Strategic Development Agency NGO, the employees of the cooperative participated in a number of professional trainings, improved their milk production and processing knowledge, received necessary professional advice, and applied the gained skills and knowledge in their work. In recent years, with the support of the project, the factory has been reconstructed, bringing it in line with international food production standards and increasing production capacity. As a result, the quality of the product has improved, as well as the production and promotion of new products have been established.

“By combining all the efforts of the family members, the common goal of achieving greater recognition and consumption becomes much more realistic. The guarantee of our sustainable development and achievements is the consistent approach and continuous investments in the expansion of capacities, improvement of milk collection, production, marketing processes. We did not even think that we could start producing high-value cheeses when we founded the cooperative and used to produce only traditional types of cheese – Lori, Chanakh . Thanks to cooperation with the “Livestock Development in the South of Armenia” project and a number of other projects,  we also started producing high-quality cheeses,” -says Arthur Nazaryan.

Already in 2017, parmesan and gouda cheeses were produced and put on trial sale, and due to the demand, their production volumes are increasing year by year. Today the cooperative produces 14 types of cheese, not only for the Armenian market but also for the Russian Federation and the United States.

“As a result of our work, many families from Yelpin and neighboring communities  are already taking confident steps towards the development of livestock development knowing that in the future they will not have a problem with the sale of milk.” Production development plans are not limited to this, we also plan to increase production volumes, the number of sale points representing the company, and to start production of new lactic acid products (yogurt, tan, sour cream)”,– sums up Arthur Nazaryan.

13 Nov
HomePageENG, NEWSARM

“Skills, Knowledge and Intermediation Development” Project Partners Meeting

On November 12-13, 2021, the partners meeting took place within the framework of the “Skills, Knowledge and Intermediation Development” pilot project implemented by Strategic Development Agency (SDA) NGO with the participation of representatives from the Project’s partner institutions; Armenian National Agrarian University, Unified Social Service of Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of RA, Armenian Hikers Association, Cheese Makers’ Union of Armenia, Armenian Tourism Federation, and Links Technologies.

The “Skills, Knowledge and Intermediation Development” pilot project is implemented by Strategic Development Agency (SDA) NGO in the framework of #RECONOMY – a regional inclusive and green economic development program of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), implemented by HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation. The aim of the Project is to support unemployed women and youth as well as other disadvantaged and excluded groups to improve their (self)employability through enhanced capacities and incentives of skills and knowledge providers and employers to collaborate, develop and offer improved, relevant, demand-driven non-formal training courses in the field of tourism/hospitality and agriculture/agribusiness in the Republic of Armenia.

During the meeting, each partner presented the activities done in the framework of the project, the challenges they faced during the COVID-19 Pandemic period and what was the actual solutions for overcoming them. Participants presented upcoming events and activities with the further discussion on the effective cooperation among each other.

The meeting was also marked by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with new partners.

As a result of the two-day meeting, the Project partners came up with long-term recommendations, as well as worked out the roadmap for further activities.

 

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