“The Future of Agriculture Depends on Embracing Innovation” – Meruzhan Gharibyan
Meruzhan Gharibyan stands in his smart farm in Getavan, watching over his cattle. There is no rush, no loud commands, no chaotic movement—just the quiet hum of technology working in harmony with nature. With a single push of a button, the barn is cleaned. A digital system monitors the cows’ health and milk production, alerting him to any potential issues before they arise. This is not the agriculture of the past. This is the future, and Meruzhan is one of the leaders.
From Law to Farming
Meruzhan Gharibyan was not always a farmer. Originally trained as a lawyer, his journey took an unexpected turn when he realized that his true calling lay in agriculture. Over the past 25 years, he has dedicated himself to farming, raising pedigree cows and ensuring that his livestock receives the best possible care. However, as the years passed, he saw the challenges facing traditional farming: declining interest, economic struggles, and a lack of modern methods. “Agriculture is a declining sector,” he says. “If we did not switch to innovative approaches, we would not have survived.”
Two years ago, he took a bold step and transitioned his farm into a fully automated, smart system. The shift was not easy—acquiring equipment, adapting to new management techniques, and rethinking decades of traditional practices. But he was determined.
A Farm Without Borders
Meruzhan Gharibyan now manages his farm remotely, sometimes even from Vanadzor, using digital controls to oversee operations. “From Vanadzor, I can clean the barn with one button,” he says with a grin. Sensors track everything from milk production to cow health, ensuring efficiency and quality. The result is higher-quality milk, sold at a premium price.
“In an average farm, milk is bought for 130 drams per liter. Our milk is 170 drams because of its quality,” he explains. “Everything is done in a closed cycle—no human hands touch the milk from the cow to the container. This ensures both hygiene and efficiency.”
But for Meruzhan Gharibyan, innovation is not just about automation—it’s about sustainability. His farm also provides its own feed, ensuring full control over the production chain. Opening a milk and dairy workshop is among his future plans.
Inspiring the Next Generation
One of the biggest challenges Meruzhan Gharibyan sees is the aging of agricultural professions. “No one is interested in traditional agriculture, especially not the youth,” he says. “A lot has changed in people’s perceptions.”
That is why his farm has become a training ground for students. Apprentices from Stepanavan State Agricultural College visit, learning firsthand how modern farming works. “They see that people communicate with animals from a distance, that in some cases, they don’t even open or close doors because everything is automated.”
Though apprentices may not be full-time employees yet, Meruzhan sees their training as an investment in the future. And it’s a two-way street—while he teaches them farming, they teach him digital communication skills. Even his own son has joined the effort, making the farm a true family legacy.
Highly appreciating his partnership with the “Modernizing Vocational Education and Training in Agriculture in Armenia” (MAVETA) project, Meruzhan emphasizes the importance of training courses, opportunities to improve soft skills, and exchange visits to Austria and Switzerland (upcoming), where he has learned from some of the best in the field. “The partnership wasn’t just about technical support,” he says. “It was about constantly learning, growing, and bringing new ideas home.”
Breaking Stereotypes
Meruzhan Gharibyan prioritizes the changes in public’s perception of farming. “When you say you need a milkman, no one responds. But when you advertise for a milk operator, people stand in line,” he says. Words matter, and so does the image of agriculture.
Stereotypes of village barns and backbreaking labor are being replaced by visions of high-tech, efficient farms. “Visiting new smart farms will change your opinion,” he insists. “Agriculture is not just about survival—it’s about solving the food security problem, saving villages, and taking control of the land.
“If we don’t keep cows, where will we get butter and cheese?” he asks a rethoric question.
The Will to Change
When asked what it takes to build a farm like his, Meruzhan doesn’t mention money first. “Willpower,” he says with a smile. “Then land and investment.”
His farm is proof that the future of agriculture is not just about technology, but about mindset. The willingness to adapt, to innovate, and to inspire the next generation is what will keep farming alive in Armenia.