03 Aug
Uncategorized

IADAAM Advancing Land Consolidation in Armenia: Key Directions Discussed

The modernization of irrigated agriculture requires not only the development of infrastructure, but also more effective approaches to land governance and land resource management.

The fragmentation of agricultural land remains one of the main challenges to agricultural development in Armenia, limiting productivity growth, the adoption of modern technologies , the efficient management of irrigation systems , and the competitiveness of the sector .

In this context, the “Presentation of the Land Consolidation Process” meeting-discussion was held at the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia, where specialists of the Ministry were introduced to the strategic importance of land consolidation, international and European experience, and the potential for applying these approaches in the Armenian context.

Discussions focused on the challenges associated with fragmented agricultural land, various land consolidation models, pilot approaches planned for the Ararat and Armavir regions, and the institutional, legal, and organizational frameworks necessary to advance the land consolidation process in Armenia.

Land consolidation is a key instrument of modern land policy. By reducing land fragmentation and improving the management of agricultural land, it contributes to higher productivity, lower production costs, more efficient irrigation management, and a more competitive and resilient agricultural sector.

This meeting-discussion also provided a valuable platform for sharing international experience, fostering professional dialogue, and exploring practical pathways for advancing land consolidation in Armenia.

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.

31 Jul
NEWSENG

Innovative Directions for Agricultural Development Discussed at the Sevan AgriTech Summit

The future of agriculture will be shaped not only by new technologies, but by our ability to make them accessible, scalable, and impactful.

The Strategic Development Agency (SDA) joined the Sevan Agritech Summit, held within the Seaside Startup Summit, where innovators, entrepreneurs, development partners, and industry leaders came together to advance the future of agriculture through innovation and collaboration.

Representing our INLIMA and RECONOMY projects, the SDA team joined conversations on AgriTech, digital transformation, and collaborative solutions that strengthen resilient and competitive agricultural systems.

As climate challenges intensify and the demand for smarter resource management grows, collaboration across sectors is no longer optional-it is essential. Events like the Sevan AgriTech Summit create the space where ideas, expertise, and partnerships come together to accelerate sustainable change.

At SDA, we remain committed to connecting local needs with global innovation and turning promising ideas into lasting impact for Armenia’s agricultural sector.

“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.

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

29 Jul
NEWSARM, NEWSARM, NEWSARM, NEWSARM, NEWSARM

SEIRA Awareness-Raising Sessions on State Support Programmes Held in Goris and Sisian

Public support programmes are often assessed by their scale or level of funding. Yet their true impact is measured by a different standard: how accessible they are to the people they are intended to serve.

On 27 and 28 July 2026, the SEIRA project organised awareness-raising sessions in Goris and Sisian for project beneficiaries from both communities. The meetings brought together beneficiaries with representatives of the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia and the Unified Social Service, creating a valuable platform for direct dialogue and engagement.

During the sessions, participants were introduced to a range of state support programmes, as well as initiatives implemented by the Unified Social Service for persons forcibly displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh.

The value of these meetings extends well beyond the provision of information. They create opportunities for beneficiaries to ask questions, receive first-hand guidance, and gain a clearer understanding of how public policies and support mechanisms can translate into tangible opportunities in their everyday lives.

Together, these conversations help strengthen access to public services, foster institutional trust, and support more inclusive and sustainable integration.

“Socio-Economic Integration of Refugees in Armenia” (SEIRA) project is funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and implemented by the Strategic Development Agency NGO and the UN World Food Programme.

22 Jul
Uncategorized

MAVETA From Green Solutions to Competitive Agribusiness

How can agribusiness become not only more efficient, but also more competitive and resilient in a rapidly changing environment? The answer often lies not in having more resources, but in managing them strategically, responsibly, and sustainably.

These were the key themes discussed during a two-day training workshop organized for MAVETA project’s private sector partners on “Competitive and Sustainable Agribusiness: Efficient Resource Management and Green Solutions.”

The training was delivered by Mkhitar Avetisyan, who guided participants through practical approaches to transforming efficient resource management, circular economy principles, climate risk management, and innovative waste management practices into actionable solutions and tangible competitive advantages.

During the workshop, participants also developed practical action plans tailored to their own farms and businesses, turning acquired knowledge into concrete steps toward more sustainable and competitive operations.

A green transition begins with knowledge – but it creates real impact only when knowledge is transformed into action.

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).

21 Jul
NEWSENG, NEWSENG, NEWSENG, NEWSENG

SEIRA Exploring Barriers and Opportunities for Socio-Economic Inclusion and Decent Work in Gegharkunik

Within the framework of the #SEIRA Project, a series of discussion sessions on “Accessible Services and Decent Work Activities” was conducted in Gegharkunik region. The discussions highlighted once again that the barriers to socio-economic inclusion are not always limited to material or institutional constraints. In many cases, they are shaped by less visible factors, including levels of self-confidence, communication patterns, perceptions of safety and security, and prevailing social norms.

The sessions provided participants with information on available state and community-based social services, principles of decent and safe work, as well as opportunities for self-employment and entrepreneurship. However, the significance of these discussions extended far beyond knowledge-sharing. They created a platform to explore the complex range of personal, social, and contextual factors that influence individuals’ economic participation, decision-making, and engagement within their communities.

Through facilitated focus group discussions, self-reflection exercises, communication confidence assessments, and collective analysis, participants examined challenges that often remain insufficiently addressed within employment and social inclusion policies and programmes. The participatory methodology enabled a deeper understanding of the underlying factors that affect people’s ability to access opportunities, articulate their perspectives, and actively participate in social and economic life.

One of the key insights emerging from the discussions in Gegharkunik was the influence of dialect on communication confidence. Participants shared that, particularly in formal or unfamiliar settings, they may consciously adjust their way of speaking due to concerns that their dialect could be misunderstood, negatively perceived, or become a basis for judgment. This observation highlights the strong relationship between linguistic identity, self-expression, and confidence, emphasizing the importance of fostering inclusive environments where diversity is acknowledged and respected rather than perceived as a limitation.

Another significant finding related to participants’ sense of safety and security, which was described as a process that has not yet been fully restored and remains closely connected to perceptions of peace and stability in the country. Participants emphasized that this sense of uncertainty influences their ability to make long-term plans, pursue employment opportunities, remain mobile, and take initiative. The discussions therefore reinforced the understanding that socio-economic integration cannot be considered separately from broader conditions of peace, security, and social stability.

The discussions also addressed the relationship between unpaid household work and paid employment. Participants’ experiences demonstrated that unpaid care and domestic responsibilities continue to affect economic participation opportunities, particularly for women, while often remaining undervalued in public discussions and labour market analyses. Recognizing and accounting for unpaid work is an important prerequisite for promoting a more equitable and inclusive economic environment.

The discussions conducted in Gegharkunik reaffirmed that decent work extends beyond employment statistics. It is built through conditions that enable people to access information, trust their own capacities, express their voices with confidence, and make informed decisions about their future in an environment where they feel secure and supported.

“Socio-Economic Integration of Refugees in Armenia” (SEIRA) project is funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and implemented by the Strategic Development Agency NGO and the UN World Food Programme.

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