Environmental policy and administrative management

Organic agriculture is part of Armenia s sustainable development concept and is a priority area in the government s agro-food policy. Organic farming is considered an excellent business opportunity for farmers and investors involved in agriculture and food production. In 2010 Shen NGO, in partnership with EED-Germany and Shen-France, developed a 4-year project Demo educational center for organic agriculture aimed at promoting development of the organic agriculture in Armenia by increasing the actual number of certified farms and product varieties. The demonstration and educational center will operate as an experimental organic farm, where new approaches and technologies for environmentally sound cultivation based on efficient use of natural resources will be introduced. It will serve as a well equipped and staffed advisory center where various consultations, seminars and practical trainings will be organized. Thereafter in 2011 Shen NGO rented a 7 ha land plot to establish an experimental-demonstrative educational center in Akunq community of Kotayk region. This abandoned plot of land was entirely covered by garbage, construction waste and stones. In fact, it was used as an unauthorized dump site for Akunq and its neighboring communities. As a result of intensive degradation of the soil layer, the land had fully lost its agricultural potential and had a very low economic value. With the EED Germany, Shen France and Shen NGO funding, the territory of the center was fenced and initial melioration activities were implemented, such as removal of big stones, solid and construction waste. Besides, a digital map of the territory and a full-scale melioration plan was developed and a unit of farming machine with its three sleeves was purchased. Notable, that the project was welcomed by the Akunq community residents. In April 2012, Shen NGO, with the support of EED-Germany and Shen-France, received additional funding through SGP grant project to support implementation of the second phase of the initiative. At this phase, the project envisages implementing the following activities in the territory of the demonstration and training center: Implementation of the soil melioration activities ; Installation of the efficient irrigation systems for soil and water conservation; Arrangement of seeds production for conservation of domestic varieties of crops; Set up and demonstration of different innovative, environmentally friendly agricultural technologies and equipment for knowledge transfer and dissemination; and Organic certification of the demo farm. The overall objective of the project is to promote good agricultural practices based on soil and water conservation through introduction of innovative management approaches, technologies and organic farming practices in the demonstration and training center. To ensure institutional sustainability and community ownership of the center, a Social Development Fund (SDF) will be registered on the basis of the educational center which will coordinate and unify activities of the organic producers, farmers and other counterparts throughout Armenia. Founders of the SDF will be 23 certified organic farmers from different regions of Armenia, Shen and other NGOs/CBOs specialized in organic agriculture and selected beneficiary farmers from Akunq community.

Armenia