09 Jun
ProjectPortfolioENG, ProjectPortfolioENG, ProjectPortfolioENG, ProjectPortfolioENG

Modernizing Vocational Education and Training in Agriculture in Armenia (MAVETA) II Phase

The “Modernizing Vocational Education and Training in Agriculture in Armenia” (MAVETA) project was launched in December 2021 with an inception phase, which was successfully completed in 2022. The first main implementation phase was carried out from 2022 to 2025, while the second phase commenced in December 2025 and will continue until 2028.

The MAVETA project aims to improve the knowledge and skills of female and male professionals, students, and graduates working in agriculture and related sectors, thereby contributing to their sustainable and inclusive professional development, increased incomes, and enhanced opportunities for self-employment and employment. The project also supports the development of the Vocational Education and Training (VET) system by promoting effective public-private collaboration and fostering skills development aligned with labor market needs.

The project pursues three main outcomes:

  • Public institutions provide the legal and regulatory framework necessary for establishing an effective and functional VET system based on the new VET Law.
  • VET governance bodies and private sector organizations share responsibility for the provision and development of VET services.
  • The private sector and colleges jointly provide improved skills and qualifications for female and male VET students, graduates, and professionals.

The project is implemented in Yerevan and across most regions of Armenia, including Syunik, Lori, Tavush, Armavir, Ararat, Kotayk, Gegharkunik, and Vayots Dzor.

MAVETA cooperates with the following VET institutions:

  • Goris State Multifunctional College
  • A. Kochinyan Agricultural College of the Armenian National Agrarian University (ANAU)
  • ANAU Sisian Branch
  • Stepanavan State Agricultural College
  • Berd State Multifunctional College
  • Ejmiatsin State Vocational School
  • Ararat Regional State College
  • Vayots Dzor Regional State College
  • Armavir Regional State College
  • Gavar State Agricultural College
  • Kotayk Regional State College
  • Noyemberyan State College

The project supports the development of the following occupational fields and study programs: Veterinary Medicine, Milk and Dairy Technology, Farm Management, Agricultural Mechanization, Horticulture, Installation and Operation of Drip Irrigation Systems, Greenhouse Management, and Cold Storage Management.

The project plans to cooperate with around 90 private sector partners operating in the agricultural sector to strengthen linkages between the VET system and the labor market, as well as to promote demand-driven skills development.

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).

11 Nov
Uncategorized

Innovative Livestock Management: Animal Migration, Breeding & Markets (INLIMA)

“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.

The objective of the project is to contribute to the sustainable management of the livestock sector in Armenia and to the improvement of rural livelihoods through organized animal migration, modern approaches to breeding, and improved access to markets.

The project is based on the Inclusive Market Systems Development (IMSD) approach, aiming to foster systemic change, strengthen cooperation between public and private sector actors, and develop sustainable service delivery mechanisms. This approach foresees the development of capacities of market actors, deeper institutional cooperation, and the establishment of a long-term, self-sustaining operational environment within the sector.

The project targets rural communities in Syunik, Vayots Dzor, Gegharkunik, Shirak, Lori, Ararat, Armavir, and Aragatsotn marzes, covering approximately 7,800 livestock households (around 20,000 direct beneficiaries), 30% of whom are women. Indirect beneficiaries include approximately 40,000 residents. Particular attention is also given to actors in the milk and meat value chains, local self-government bodies, and private service providers.

Expected Results:

▪️Improved and systematically organized livestock migration management systems

▪️Modernization of breeding and reproductive technologies for cattle

▪️Improved competitiveness and access to milk and meat markets

▪️Strengthened cooperation between local service providers and the private sector

Strategic Significance

The INLIMA project is aligned with the Strategy of the Main Directions Ensuring Economic Development in the Agricultural Sector of the Republic of Armenia (2020–2030) and is aimed at:

▪️increasing the competitiveness and income levels of farming households,

▪️promoting the socio-economic inclusion of women and vulnerable groups,

▪️applying climate-resilient agricultural solutions,

▪️strengthening the capacities of local self-government bodies and private sector actors,

▪️supporting the efficient and inclusive development of value chains.

21 Oct
ProjectPortfolioENG

Socio-Eonomic Integration of Refugees in Armenia (SEIRA)

The Socio-Economic Integration of Refugees in Armenia (SEIRA) is a three-year project aimed at enhancing the livelihoods and resilience of refugee and vulnerable host populations in Armenia. This project is implemented by the Strategic Development Agency (SDA) NGO and the UN World Food Programme (WFP), targeting six communities across the Gegharkunik, Vayots Dzor, and Syunik regions, which were involved previously in the REBCA project. The SEIRA project is the SDC contribution to the wider efforts of the Government and other important stakeholders with the aim to pioneer the shift from purely humanitarian into a long-term development nexus approach.

In response to the influx of over 115,257 refugees from Nagorno Karabakh, the Armenian government has implemented measures to provide essential services, including education and health care. Despite these efforts, refugees face significant challenges, particularly in food security, livelihoods, and housing. The SEIRA project seeks to address these challenges by fostering socio-economic integration and resilience through agricultural activities and self-employment opportunities.

The SEIRA project focuses on integrating both refugee and local populations, with particular attention to women, youth, and individuals with disabilities. It aims to engage smallholder farmers and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in the target communities.

19 Jul
ProjectPortfolioARM, ProjectPortfolioARM, ProjectPortfolioARM, ProjectPortfolioARM, ProjectPortfolioARM

Irrigated Agriculture Development in Ararat and Armavir Marzes (IADAAM)

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 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, provide technical support to the MoE in the implementing project activities, ensure communication and reporting for the IADAAM project.

The project supports the Government of Armenia in policy matters linked with the development of modernized irrigated agriculture, particularly, this project is implemented jointly with the Ministry of Economy (85%) and the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure (15%), reflecting a collaborative approach to address the existing challenges of the agricultural sector. 

The project provides strong support at local level to farmers and concerned stakeholders at crafting, promoting and financing pilot operations in Ararat and Armavir marzes. Through sustainable advisory services and efficient irrigation technologies the IADAAM project is also supporting the adaptation to climate change and making agricultural production more resilient to the effects of changing weather events such as draught, heavy rains and hail.

In addition, it addresses land consolidation and cooperation for High Value Agriculture. The project will also support the UN Sustainable Development Goals and in particular support Women and young farmers and the youth to participate in project activities and grants.

The project started in 2024 and shall run until 2026.

27 Jun
Uncategorized

Cooperation with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

“Strategic Development Agency” NGO has been cooperating with Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations since 2012, implementing a numerous of projects and researches with the financial support of the latter, which are shortly presented below։

  • “Technical and institutional support to veterinary services in Armenia”։ The goal of the project: the strengthening of veterinary services public sector in Syunik marz contributing to improvement of the food safety system and sustainable agricultural development in Armenia.
  • “National survey on conservation of dual-purpose cattle and collection of genetic samples”։ The purpose of the study: to assess the current situation related to the genetic resources, production environment and breeding background of the Caucasian Brown cattle breed in Armenia, to identify the priorities, gaps, bottlenecks and opportunities for the selected breed.
  • “How to Improve silage and fodder preparation based on Inspection Reports”: The aim of the study: to assess the nutritional quality of silage and fodder for animals and develop recommendations to farmers on how to improve the quality of the silage and fodder on their farms.
  • “Current situation of Artificial Insemination in Armenia”: The purpose of the study: to assess technical and infrastructural constraints of cattle artificial insemination (AI) services currently available in Armenia, as well as to provide recommendations on the areas of improvement in AI services.
  • “Implementation of a survey on the use of antimicrobials and collection of samples for antimicrobial resistance testing in Armenia”։ The survey aim: to explore knowledge, attitudes and practices among farmers and livestock producers of priority livestock production systems, veterinarians, feed mills and veterinary pharmacies to identify their patterns of antimicrobial use.
  • “Development of a mobile data collection system for six countries and four languages”։ The project aim: development of a mobile data collection system to explore knowledge, attitudes and practices among livestock producers, veterinarians, veterinary pharmacies and feed mills for identify the patterns of antimicrobial use (AMU) and their understanding of antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
  • “Emergency Humanitarian assistance to conflict affected vulnerable groups in Armenia”: The aim of the project: to increase the knowledge of the beneficiaries (displaced families) on good animal husbandry practices and farm management.
  • “Capacity building program for dairy and poultry farmers and veterinarians to reduce the use of antimicrobials (AMU) through improved husbandry and biosecurity practices”: The aim of the project: to increase the knowledge of dairy and poultry farmers and veterinarians on reduced AMU and promote the implementation of biosecurity and good practices.
  • “Linking farms, livestock markets and slaughterhouses”։ The aim of the project: the collection and analysis of data from livestock markets (LM) and slaughterhouses (SH) throughout the territory of the Republic of Armenia, in an effort to understand the patterns of animal movement between them, as well as the structure and practices within slaughterhouses in Armenia.
  • “Analyses of the Agricultural and Livelihood Needs of the Refugee Population Displaced from Nagorno-Karabakh”: The aim of the project: to collect qualitative and quantitative evidence on the food security, agricultural livelihoods, and income-generating opportunities/value chain linkages for incoming refugee households from Nagorno-Karabakh. Additionally, it seeks to assess the needs and context of vulnerable host families and households in communities or areas with significant concentrations of refugee households.
  • “Post Disaster Needs Assessment in Agricultural Sector”: The aim of the project: to collect qualitative and quantitative evidence on the damage and loss, pre-disaster baseline condition related to the agricultural sector as well as post disaster needs assessment. Estimate the value of the damage and loss and develop the analysis of expected trend. Based on the reconstruction and recovery needs provide recommendations on recovery strategy.
  • “Implementation of a survey on the use of antiparasitic drugs and collection of samples for antiparasitic resistance testing in Armenia”:  The aim of the project: to explore knowledge, attitudes, and practices among livestock producers, veterinarians, and veterinary pharmacies to identify the patterns of antiparasitic drugs use, their perspectives on use and resistance.

 

 

 

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