25 Feb
Uncategorized

“North-South” Experience Exchange Among MAVETA Project Partners

Within the framework of the “Modernizing Vocational Education and Training in Agriculture in Armenia” (MAVETA) project, the Strategic Development Agency (SDA) NGO organized an experience exchange visit to Lori on February 20-21, bringing together representatives from the private sector and vocational education and training (VET) institutions of Syunik and Lori marzes.

On the first day, Narine Abrahamyan, business consultant for the MAVETA project, and Mikayel Haykuni, animal health and breeding specialist at SDA, led discussions on the unique aspects of animal behavior in the Syunik and Lori regions, strategies for improving farm profitability, and their effectiveness.

Participants were also introduced to the “HOVIV” farm digitalization application. Co-founders Van Avetisyan and Naira Musayelyan demonstrated how the app enables farmers and educators to manage daily farm operations through digital tools and monitor animal movements via GPS technology.

On the second day, participants visited the farms of Vahan Grigoryan in Tashir and Meruzhan Gharibyan in Getavan to explore modern agricultural practices firsthand.

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).

24 Feb
NEWSENG, NEWSENG, NEWSENG, NEWSENG

Leadership Training for MAVETA Project Partners

Within the framework of the “Modernizing Vocational Education and Training in Agriculture in Armenia” (MAVETA) project, a training session on “Developing Leadership and Management Skills” was held in Yerevan on February 19-20 for the management staff of partner colleges.

The two-day training, led by Arshavir Ghukasyan, covered key topics such as leadership and management styles, proactivism, interest theories, and the benefits of SWOT analysis.

Participants also had the opportunity to apply their knowledge through interactive exercises, enhancing their skills to improve workplace efficiency.

 

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).

21 Feb
Uncategorized

#IADAAM Training on “Needs Assessment Questionnaire Instructions”

Within the framework of “Irrigated Agriculture Development in Ararat and Armavir marzes” (#IADAAM) project, a training course on “Needs Assessment Questionnaire Instructions” was held on February 20, led by Anna Sargsyan, Projects Monitoring and Evaluation Officer at the Strategic Development Agency.

This training aimed to facilitate and modernize the process of assessing the needs of farmers receiving agricultural extension services under the IADAAM program. For this purpose, Anna Sargsyan, the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer at the Strategic Development Agency, developed and digitized a questionnaire (bilingual, with the option of choosing Armenian and English), which will be used through the KoBoToolbox mobile data collection tool. The surveys will be conducted face-to-face, using a laptop or tablet.

The aim of the training was to train field team members and interviewers – coordinators and experts of the IADAAM project’s agricultural extension service, to conduct surveys among farmers using the digital tool (KoBoToolbox). This training will help participants to conduct accurate and efficient farmer needs assessments using the developed digital tool.

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 the IADAAM project a technical assistance component is implemented jointly by Agriconsulting Europe S.A, Avenue Consulting Group LLC, 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.

 

19 Feb
NEWSENG

Professional Orientation Visits to Schools in Lori Region

Within the framework of the Modernizing Vocational Education and Training in Agriculture in Armenia (MAVETA) project, professional orientation visits were conducted on February 13-14 at Tashir Primary Schools No. 1 and No. 2, and Stepanavan Primary Schools No. 3 and No. 6.

During the visits, MAVETA project VET consultant Lilit Beglaryan introduced students to the project’s objectives and the vocational programs offered at Stepanavan State Agricultural College through the dual education system. She highlighted the advantages of this approach, including hands-on training and strong partnerships between the college and employers.

The project’s private sector partners discussed the growing demand for skilled professionals in agriculture, particularly the shortage of veterinarians, dairy technologists, agricultural machinery technicians, and farm management specialists. They emphasized the importance of attracting and training qualified specialists to meet the industry’s needs.

Kamo Jilavyan, the college’s career guidance officer, provided an overview of the college’s programs, outlining the benefits of vocational education and the diverse career opportunities it offers.

More than 150 students participated in the sessions, engaging actively with questions about admission requirements and the duration of training for various specialties.

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).

19 Feb
NEWSARM, NEWSARM, NEWSARM, NEWSARM, NEWSARM

#IADAAM Comprehensive study – the basis of sustainable agriculture

“Irrigated Agriculture Development in Ararat and Armavir marzes” (IADAAM) Project’s Agricultural Extension Service international expert Wilhelm Kruse and national expert Paruyr Asatryan, before presenting the concept for the restoration of the agricultural extension system in the Republic of Armenia, a research tour was conducted, conducting an assessment of farmers’ needs, studying the food security situation in Armenia, issues of cooperation between stakeholders (governmental and non-governmental organizations, scientific research centers, farmers, agro-input supply and agro-service organizations) and the agricultural advisory service body.

IADAAM AEST experts, combining the information collected during the aforementioned research tour and previously: the experience of stakeholders in the field of agricultural extension services and training, existing success stories and reasons for failures, will soon present a concept for the restoration of the agricultural extension system in the Republic of 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 the IADAAM project a technical assistance component is implemented jointly by Agriconsulting Europe S.A, Avenue Consulting Group LLC, 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.

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