Within the framework of the “Modernizing Vocational Education and Training in Agriculture in Armenia” (MAVETA) project, we spoke with Gagik Andranikyan, a project partner, about the demand for veterinarians and animal artificial insemination technicians in Syunik region, job prospects, the advantages of apprenticeships, and cooperation with the MAVETA project.
We met Andranikyan at his farm, which is located in the Verishen settlement of the Goris community. Before privatization, there was an artificial insemination station here. Now it is a family farm.
Q: How many years have you been involved in artificial insemination of animals?
A: 33 years. I have been working since 1991. Before that, since 1986, back in the days of the Soviet Union, I also worked here as the chief animal breeder. At that time, we were inseminating approximately 8-9 thousand animals per year. After the collapse of the USSR, we somehow maintained certain standards, but it did not last very long. As in the entire republic, there were many problems: people were either not able to pay, or did not want to, or there were other issues. However, we have always been ready to work and have not refused anyone.
There is little demand now. The main reason given is the price increases, but in reality, those who want to use this service do not look at the price.
Q: In your opinion, is the experience of the artificial insemination justified?
A: It is definitely justified. Today, milk production is quite high, and animal keepers and sole proprietors know this well.
While evaluating milk production and productivity, you feel that these standards are high in artificially inseminated cattle, and people take this step consciously.
Q: We also know that you are a partner of the MAVETA project. How did the collaboration begin?
A: I have been working with the Strategic Development Agency for about 14 years. We cooperate and do it well. I am conscientious in all matters, in all areas of activity. I will say the same about the SDA. Years ago, they came and trained specialists in artificial insemination of animals in the region, about 11-12 people. I was working in my specialty at that time, and I continue to do the same today.
Q: Is there a demand? We also know that you are collaborating with the Goris State Agricultural College. What does that entail?
A: Yes, the cooperation with the Goris Agricultural College is implemented through the MAVETA project.
Look, it is scheduled that students should come, but there are not many yet. I would like more students to choose this specialty and come to the farm for practical training. During my student years, most students at the agrarian university studied for a diploma. This problem is partly still present now. If you came to study veterinary medicine, then study to become a veterinarian, instead of saying, “I have also studied and graduated from the agricultural college.”
Q: In your opinion, does Dual education, which has already been implemented, for example, for the same veterinary specialty, motivate students to become better specialists?
A: It is a very good project. I also think that theory and practice should complement each other. Now the meaning of the project is that the student, in this case the apprentice, becomes a competitive specialist and does not just read theory and forget it tomorrow, but sees it in practice, applies it and becomes a specialist. Moreover, a specialist, in order to be a good specialist and work well, has no right to engage in any other work besides his/her specialty. Only in this way can he/she delve into his/her field, instead of thinking about extraneous issues. A veterinarian, an artificial insemination technician should be free to be on call, because they deal with animals and cannot plan anything related to them.
They send apprentices to me to teach me the techniques of artificial insemination. I have agreed with great pleasure: let them come, I will teach them, I will reveal my latest secrets to them.
Q: What would you say to students, future veterinarians, or those interested in becoming an animal artificial insemination technician?
A: I am ready to help every minute, every second to the best of my ability. I do not have to say “no”, “I don’t have time”, “tomorrow, the next day or the day after that”. This service is like a medical emergency, you must always be ready. If you are not ready, then you lose a client. That’s it. Here, a birthday, wedding, New Year or other ceremonies should not affect in any way. This is a doctor’s job: you must be able to do your job without interruption.
Q: Thank you.
A: You are welcome.
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).