Agricultural Machinery Provided to Communities in Syunik and Lori Regions to Promote Sustainable Land Management

At the end of August, ceremonies were held in Lori and Syunik Regions to provide agricultural machinery to local communities. As part of the grant programme “Implementing Armenia’s Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) Commitments through Sustainable Management and Restoration of Degraded Grasslands,” a total of 24 pieces of agricultural machinery were provided to settlements in Tumanyan and Sisian communities to support the restoration of degraded land and increase agricultural productivity.

 

Residents of around eight settlements in Tumanyan Community, Lori Region, received 12 hay-gathering attachments, while the settlements of Gorayk, Tsghuk, Spandaryan and Sarnakunk in Sisian Community, Syunik Region, received 12 agricultural attachments, including six cultivators and six disc harrows, as well as two rotary seed drills.

 

The machinery provided will enable the timely and efficient implementation of necessary agrotechnical operations, saving time and labour, reducing production costs, and improving the efficiency and quality of agricultural production. Access to the equipment will also contribute to the development of agricultural value chains and promote sustainable, market-oriented agriculture.

 

“We have a serious shortage of machinery in the community, and what we do have is worn out. We cannot complete the agricultural work before the end of the season; the rains start, and all our work goes to waste. Now we have new machinery, and we need to plan the work so that everyone can use it according to their needs,” said Tigran Kocharyan, a representative of Atan settlement.

 

As part of the programme, a number of measures aimed at the restoration and sustainable management of land and grasslands have already been implemented in the two communities.

 

In Tumanyan Community, 250 hectares of degraded pasture and hayfields and 48.3 hectares of arable land have been improved. In addition, a 1.2-hectare orchard has been established as a demonstration site and an opportunity to generate income for local beneficiaries.

 

In Sisian Community, 170 hectares of degraded pasture and hayfields and 352 hectares of arable land have been improved. Drone-based application of organic fertiliser has also been carried out to restore degraded pastures and hayfields.

 

The programme has also provided support for diversifying agricultural activities and sources of income. Beneficiaries in Tumanyan Community received 72 beehives, along with the necessary tools and equipment, while 48 beehives were provided in Sisian Community. Beneficiaries in both communities also received tomato, pepper and cucumber seeds and seedlings.

 

Farmers engaged in agricultural activities were also provided with seed drills, potato planters, hay balers, rotary rakes, and fertiliser and manure spreaders.

 

Ara Nakhapetyan, Head of Agriculture and Environment Department of Syunik Regional Administration, noted that the introduction of new machinery in communities and across the region is bringing positive changes and stimulating agricultural activity:

 

 “Communities are facing a problem with worn-out agricultural machinery, and its service life expired long ago. Such programmes are very welcome, and we also provide support within the scope of our powers…”

 

To strengthen community capacities and facilitate the transition to sustainable land-use and management approaches, 12 management and resource mobilisation plans have been developed under the programme.

 

Overall, approximately 50,000 hectares of grasslands and 6,000 hectares of cultivated land have been included in the application of sustainable land-use and land-management practices.

 

Another important component of the programme is the development of agricultural product marketing, which can contribute to greater economic activity and increased incomes in rural communities. To this end, marketing and agribusiness training sessions have been conducted in beneficiary communities. Participants were also introduced to state support programmes currently available in the agricultural sector, including opportunities to access them and adapt them to local needs.

 

As a result of training courses on efficient and sustainable land cultivation, around 1,300 beneficiaries have been trained. Training is planned for a further 600 beneficiaries, including 100 decision-makers and 500 farmers from Yerevan, Lori and Syunik Regions.

 

In the coming period, the programme plans to provide electric dryers, fruit-tree seedlings, electric shepherds and sales kiosks, as well as establish intensive orchards and a cheese-production facility in Tumanyan Community.

 

 “We are working in two directions. First, we are preventing land degradation; second, we are helping people use land more efficiently. By improving soil fertility, we increase biodiversity. Over the years, the area under forage and cereal crops is increasing, and beekeeping is developing because these crops contribute to honey production,” said Corolina Starr, FAO Lead Technical Specialist.