15 Jun
Uncategorized

INLIMA From French Classrooms to the Pastures of Shirak

What does the livestock sector in Armenia look like today?  What challenges and opportunities do farmers face?  How are dairy and meat value chains evolving?

To explore these questions firsthand, students from the Master’s Programme in Agribusiness Management at IEDES (Panthéon-Sorbonne University, France)  visited Armenia’s Shirak region within the framework of the INLIMA project.

During their visit, the students were introduced to the work of the Strategic Development Agency (SDA) and the initiatives being implemented across Shirak. They also visited the villages of Tsaghkut and Aregnadem in the Amasia community, where they met with farmers Ruben Tovmasyan and Hayk Nikoghosyan, whose farms have benefited from projects implemented by SDA with funding from the Austrian Development Agency.

Through these field visits, the students gained valuable insights into pasture-based livestock farming, observed the day-to-day operations of local farms, explored the dynamics of dairy and meat markets, and engaged directly with farmers to learn about their experiences, challenges, and perspectives on the sector’s development.

The visit provided a unique opportunity to witness how knowledge, practical experience, and sustained commitment contribute to agricultural development and create new opportunities for rural communities.

Complementing the study visit, the group also discovered the rich cultural heritage of Gyumri, visiting the Aslamazyan Sisters Gallery, the Black Fortress, and strolling through the city’s historic streets.

Visits such as these serve as valuable platforms for international knowledge exchange, enabling future agribusiness professionals to gain first-hand exposure to agricultural value chains, farming systems, and community-based rural development practices in Armenia.

“Innovative Livestock Management: Animal Migration, Breeding & Markets” (INLIMA) project is implemented by Strategic Development Agency NGO and funded by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), the operational unit of Austrian Development Cooperation.

05 Jun
NEWSENG, NEWSENG, NEWSENG, NEWSENG

MAVETA Expands Its Network of Partner Colleges

On 4 June 2026, the Modernizing Vocational Education and Training in Agriculture in Armenia (MAVETA) project convened a meeting with partner colleges, culminating in the formal signing of new Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs). The event marked an important milestone in the continued expansion of the project and reaffirmed the shared commitment of educational institutions and stakeholders to advancing agricultural vocational education and training (VET) in Armenia.

The MAVETA project seeks to support the modernization of agricultural VET by strengthening the alignment between education and labor market needs, enhancing the development of industry-relevant skills, and fostering meaningful engagement of the private sector in educational processes.

During the first phase of implementation, MAVETA established partnerships with six colleges. Through close collaboration with these institutions and private sector actors, the project successfully introduced and piloted elements of dual education, creating practical mechanisms for cooperation between educational institutions and employers. This experience provided valuable insights into the benefits and applicability of dual learning approaches while also identifying challenges and opportunities for further improvement.

The achievements and lessons learned during the initial phase created a solid foundation for the project’s expansion. Building on these results, MAVETA has extended its network by welcoming six additional partner colleges, significantly increasing the project’s reach and impact.

The expansion of the partner network represents an important step toward ensuring the sustainability and scalability of ongoing reforms in agricultural vocational education. It also reflects the growing recognition of the project’s relevance and its potential to contribute to a more responsive, inclusive, and labor market-oriented VET system.

During the meeting, participants were presented with the key activities and achievements implemented under the MAVETA project, including experiences gained through the introduction of dual education approaches. Discussions focused on opportunities for further strengthening cooperation between educational institutions and employers, enhancing practical learning opportunities, and improving the quality and relevance of vocational education.

Representatives of partner colleges shared their experiences and highlighted the positive outcomes achieved through collaboration, particularly in relation to the organization of practical training, engagement with employers, and the overall effectiveness of the learning process.

A central component of the event was the signing of Memoranda of Understanding, which formalized the commitment of the participating institutions to continue working together towards common objectives. The signed MoUs provide a framework for enhanced cooperation among educational institutions, private sector partners, and sectoral stakeholders, supporting the creation of new work-based learning opportunities for students and contributing to the preparation of qualified professionals equipped with the skills demanded by the agricultural sector.

The partnerships fostered through the MAVETA project constitute a significant investment in the development of human capital for Armenia’s agricultural sector. By bringing together educational institutions, employers, and industry stakeholders, the project continues to promote a modern and demand-driven vocational education system that responds to labor market requirements and creates meaningful opportunities for young people.

The expansion of the MAVETA network once again demonstrates that strong partnerships, effective work-based learning mechanisms, and closer cooperation between education and employment are fundamental drivers of sustainable development and competitiveness within the agricultural sector.

The MAVETA project is financed  by a broad coalition of international and local organisations led by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), including the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the Austrian Development Agency and the Government of Armenia.  

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

04 Jun
Uncategorized

Strengthening Capacities to Combat the South American Tomato Leafminer (Tuta absoluta) under the IADAAM Project

The growing risks associated with the spread of the South American tomato leafminer (Tuta absoluta) in Armenia require rapid response and the implementation of effective preventive measures. To address this challenge, a series of theoretical and practical training sessions was organized within the framework of the IADAAM Project, aiming to strengthen the awareness and capacities of farmers and agricultural professionals in the early detection, monitoring, and effective management of the pest.

On May 25 in Vedi, as well as on May 27 and 29 in Ararat, theoretical and practical training sessions on the “Implementation of Control Measures Against the South American Tomato Leafminer” were successfully conducted by Corner Business Platform within the framework of the “Irrigated Agriculture Development in Ararat and Armavir Marzes (IADAAM)” Project.

During the trainings, participants gained knowledge on:

🔹 The biological characteristics, life cycle, and spread risks of the South American tomato leafminer,

🔹 Effective methods for early detection, monitoring, and prevention of the pest,

🔹 Practical approaches to the use and management of pheromone traps,

🔹 Integrated pest management measures and best practices in crop protection.

The practical component of the training included field visits, demonstration installation of pheromone traps, and exchanges of experience with participants, providing an opportunity to discuss existing challenges and potential solutions directly in the field.

The Irrigated Agriculture Development in Ararat and Armavir Marzes (IADAAM) Project, financed by the European Union (EU) and implemented with the support of the French Development Agency (Agence Française de Développement), aims to transform irrigated agriculture in Armenia.

Implemented by the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia, the project’s technical assistance is provided by a consortium comprising AESA – Agriconsulting Europe SA, Avenue Consulting Group LLC, Strategic Development Agency NGO, and 3R Strategy LLC, with the aim of strengthening agricultural policy and advancing sector reforms.

27 May
NEWSENG

MAVETA: Strengthening Public-Private Partnerships in TVET

Within the framework of the #MAVETA project, efforts aimed at strengthening cooperation between the private sector and TVET institutions continue across the Ararat, Armavir, Kotayk, and Gegharkunik regions of Armenia.

Ararat Regional State College, Armavir Regional State College, Kotayk Regional State College, and Gavar State Agricultural College organized meetings with representatives of private sector companies operating in their respective regions. The meetings aimed to foster new cooperation opportunities and support preparations for the introduction of dual education programmes.

Starting from September, the above-mentioned colleges are expected to introduce several dual education specialties, including:

  • Refrigeration Systems
  • Installation and Operation of Drip Irrigation Systems
  • Greenhouse Management
  • Veterinary Medicine

During the meetings, participants were introduced to the key features of the dual education, the specialties, and the main provisions of cooperation agreements between educational institutions and employers.

Discussions also explored potential modalities for private sector engagement, particularly in relation to students’ practical training, professional skills development, and the alignment of education with labour market needs.

As a result of the meetings, preliminary agreements were reached to continue cooperation discussions and proceed with the signing of partnership agreements in the near future. Representatives of the private sector also expressed their readiness to actively contribute to the implementation of dual education and strengthening the link between education and the labour market.

The MAVETA project is financed  by a broad coalition of international and local organisations led by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), including the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the Austrian Development Agency and the Government of Armenia.  

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

25 May
NEWSARM, NEWSARM, NEWSARM, NEWSARM, NEWSARM

MAVETA Representatives and Partners Featured on Public Radio of Armenia

Representatives and partners of the “Modernizing Vocational Education and Training in Agriculture in Armenia” (MAVETA) project were hosted on the “Dprutyun” program of Public Radio of Armenia.

The discussion featured:

  • Lilit Beglaryan – VET Consultant of the MAVETA Project at the Strategic Development Agency (SDA) NGO
  •  Vardan Vardanyan – Director of the A. Kochinyan Agricultural College of the Armenian National Agrarian University
  • Harutyun Tsatryan – Director of “ELOLA” CJSC

The discussion focused on dual education, the development of specialists equipped with skills aligned with modern labor market needs, and the creation of new opportunities in the agricultural sector.

We will be pleased to share the full program soon.

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