Capacity Building in Action: IADAAM Delivers 11th NELK Module

On April 3, the 11th session of the “New Extensionist Learning Kit” (NELK) module series was successfully conducted as part of the “Irrigated Agriculture Development in Ararat and Armavir Marzes” (IADAAM) project.

The session was led by Chief Management Consultant Anna Mkhitaryan, with expert contributions from IADAAM Value Chain Experts Dario Caccamissi, Tigran Hakhnazaryan, and Lilit Petrosyan.

Participants continued building their capacities in modern extension approaches, with a focus on practical skills and knowledge to enhance agricultural development in the target marzes. This ongoing training series is designed to enhance the capacity of local extension professionals and support the long-term development of irrigated agriculture in 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 IADAAM project a technical assistance component is implemented jointly by Agriconsulting Europe S.A, Avenue Consulting Group, 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, provide technical support to the MoE in the implementing project activities, ensure communication and reporting for the IADAAM project.

MAVETA Professional Orientation Visits to Schools in Tavush Region

Within the framework of the “Modernizing Vocational Education and Training in Agriculture in Armenia (MAVETA) project, a professional orientation visits were held on April 2-3 to Berd and Artsvaberd No. 1 Primary Schools.

During the visit, MAVET Project Manager Lilit Hovhannisyan and VET Consultant Lilit Beglaryan presented the MAVET project and the specialties introduced at the Berd State Multifunctional College through dual education, the advantages of dual education, and college-employer cooperation.

Shushanik Galstyan, the college’s career guidance officer, presented the specialties available at the college, the admission procedure, successful stories of cooperation with employers in the educational process, and other features of the college that are important for students.

About 50 students attended the meetings, who actively participated in the discussions, asking questions and receiving comprehensive answers on topics of interest to them.

We would like to thank the staff of the Governor of Tavush, Republic of Armenia, for ensuring the participation of students from the region during the school holidays.

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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Opening Ceremony of a Leading Farm in Vardenis

On April 4, within the framework of the “Livestock Development in Armenia: South-North-2” project, the official opening ceremony of the leading farm, owned by project beneficiary Petros Petrosyan, took place in the Khachaghbyur settlement of Gegharkunik province.

The ceremony was attended by Deputy Minister of Economy of the Republic of Armenia Tatevik Sargsyan, Director of the Armenian Office of the Austrian Development Agency Klaus Kapper, Deputy Governor of Gegharkunik Janik Bazeyan, Head of the Vardenis Community Aharon Khachatryan, Chairman of the “Strategic Development Agency” (SDA) NGO Mkrtich Ayvazyan, Project Manager of “Livestock Development in Armenia: South-North-2” Vahe Hovhannisyan, along with other distinguished guests.

In her welcome remarks, Deputy Minister Tatevik Sargsyan emphasized the significant role of the “Strategic Development Agency” NGO in supporting state-led programs aimed at agriculture development.

Klaus Kapper, Director of the Armenian Office of the Austrian Development Agency, highlighted the long-standing and fruitful cooperation between the Austrian Development Agency and SDA in promoting livestock development in Armenia, noting the successful adaptation of Austrian agricultural best practices to the Armenian context.

Deputy Governor Janik Bazeyan underscored the positive contributions of SDA’s initiatives in the Gegharkunik marz, particularly in enhancing livestock breeding, and re-equipping veterinary clinics and slaughterhouses.

Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony, guests toured the newly established farm to gain insights into its operations.

Farm owner Petros Petrosyan shared the project’s key interventions that contributed to the farm’s establishment and his professional growth. He particularly highlighted the experience-sharing visits to Austria and France, which were organized as part of the project’s capacity-building component.

“Livestock Development in Armenia: South-North 2” project is implemented by “Strategic Development Agency” NGO and financed by the Austrian Development Agency, the operational unit of Austrian Development Cooperation.

IADAAM at Green Agriculture Conference Armenia 2025: Driving the Future of Sustainable Agriculture

Irrigated Agriculture Development in Ararat and Armavir Marzes (IADAAM) project successfully participated in the Green Agriculture Conference Armenia 2025, held on April 2-3 in Yerevan.

At the conference, IADAAM project presented a project-based poster, showcasing prokject’s ongoing efforts to improve irrigated agriculture in Ararat and Armavir marzes.

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 IADAAM project a technical assistance component is implemented jointly by Agriconsulting Europe S.A, Avenue Consulting Group, 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, provide technical support to the MoE in the implementing project activities, ensure communication and reporting for the IADAAM project.

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Yogurt-Making Course for MAVETA Project Partner Colleges

Within the framework of the Modernizing Vocational Education and Training in Agriculture in Armenia (MAVETA) project, a yogurt-making course was held on March 28 in the Syunik region for students from the Sisian branch of ANAU and Goris State Agricultural College, both partner VET institutions of the project.

The course was led by Swiss cheesemaker and consultant Hans Knussel, who provided hands-on training for students specializing in milk and dairy technology.

Participants gained practical knowledge on producing high-quality yogurt, selecting the right raw materials, understanding the fermentation process, and ensuring food safety standards.

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).