In Shaghat Village, Syunik Region, many families have stopped keeping large livestock due to issues with pastures. Many are unable to collect enough hay to feed their animals during the winter.
Shahane Hambardzumyan’s family also sold their 20 head of large cattle for the same reason: they have also reduced the number of sheep they keep due to high taxes. “If you have more than fifty, the taxes are too high—it's not profitable to keep a lot of sheep,” she explains.
In the village, the main sources of livelihood are livestock and farming.
“Our villagers are not careless with nature. They don’t harm it. I haven’t seen anyone cutting down forests,” says Shahane. “It’s just that climate change is causing the fields to dry up, and people can’t feed their animals properly or gather hay.” She adds that the loss of pastures in the region after the war has also contributed to the decline in large livestock farming.
After selling their livestock, Shahane decided to start a greenhouse. She says that although it’s small—only 100 square meters—it brings in more income than livestock ever did.
At the age of 37, Shahane not only runs her business but also speaks up about her village’s challenges. She has attended specialized training sessions and is now a member of the “Voice of Public Journalists” network. This group was formed by EcoLur as part of LILA project. Its members, including Shahane, report on environmental issues, climate challenges, various events, tourism opportunities, and other topics in Armenia’s rural communities.
This article was produced by EcoLur Informational NGO during their visit to Syunik region from May 5–7 to present the outcomes of “Living Landscapes for Market Development in Armenia” (LILA) project.
June 05, 2025 at 16:39