As part of the Irrigated Agriculture Development in Ararat and Armavir Marzes (IADAAM) project, a joint visit was carried out to Parakar Municipality, followed by a field inspection of the Norakert and Baghramyan irrigation systems. The delegation included IADAAM Project Manager Karen Harutyunyan, IADAAM Team Leader Stefan Rosenow, AEST Armavir Coordinator Vardan Hambardzumyan, the AEST Armavir team, and the Heads of the Norakert and Baghramyan Communities. The discussion centered on the provision of four filtration systems to support 620 hectares of irrigated farmland in the Baghramyan and Norakert pilot areas. These filters will play a key role in enabling the shift toward efficient drip irrigation.
📍 Key highlights from the visit:
🔹 The meeting at Parakar Municipality facilitated an open dialogue on how best to cooperate in enhancing irrigation services. The municipality expressed interest in future partnership, recognizing the project’s potential to strengthen agricultural capacity in the region.
🔹 During the field visit, the team inspected the existing pipe system (but not operating) and potential filter station locations. Although parts of the current pipe networks are still in use for traditional furrow irrigation, the area shows strong potential for the expansion of drip systems. The timely procurement of filtration systems was emphasized, along with potential cost-sharing mechanisms through farmer group participation.
🔹 At the Baghramyan community office, project representatives met with local leadership and farmers who expressed enthusiasm about future collaboration, including forming agricultural cooperatives and exploring new high-value crop options such as pistachios. The community office is now ready for use, and preparations are underway for a drip irrigation field day, aimed at showcasing modern irrigation practices to local farmers. In addition, an informational workshop on cooperative development is planned for September 2025.
📌 Next steps:
- Submit a request to the PIU for approval and support to procure the filter systems.
- Share project communication platforms with local municipal leaders to ensure continued engagement.
- Organize practical demonstrations and capacity-building sessions with interested farmer groups.
This visit marks an important milestone in promoting sustainable water use, climate-resilient agriculture and inclusive rural development in the target area.
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.