Projects

“Livestock Development in Armenia: South-North” Project targets households involved in cattle breeding, actors of milk and meat value chains and Local Self Governing Bodies of 100 rural settlements in Shirak, Lori, Tavush and Gegharkunik marzes of RA with 99,000 population.

Three years project partners are: Ministry of Economy of RA, Ministry of Territorial Administration and Development of RA, Regional Administrations of Shirak, Lori, Tavush and Gegharkunik marzes, Local Self-Governing Bodies (LSGBs)

“Livestock Development in Armenia: South-North” Project long-term goal (impact) is to contribute to inclusive and sustainable agricultural growth of livestock depending rural communities in Northern regions of Armenia through facilitation of private sector development and intensified cross-border economic relationship.

The project interventions aim:

1. To create reliable market access and diversified opportunities in the milk and meat local and export markets for livestock farmers/producers
2. To improve access to inputs and business development services and enhanced regional linkages for livestock farmers/producers
3. To strengthen the capacity of livestock farmers, local governments and agricultural producers through the introduction of sustainable natural resource management approaches.

Core principles of the project:

• The project is based on inclusive market systems development principles (IMSD) focused on developing sustainable service delivery and systemic change with the livestock sector through development of direct beneficiaries (200 private and public actors) capacities.
• The project applies a holistic approach in promoting gender equality through supporting female and male farmers to perform their productive functions more effectively and enhancing women’s involvement in decision making at farm and community level.

Achievements:
The results and achievements in creating a culture of sustainable pasture management in the project target communities are presented below.

• Due to close cooperation and capacity building with local self-government bodies, improved pasture management procedures have been introduced in 100 settlements of Shirak, Lori, Tavush, Gegharkunik marzes of the Republic of Armenia, sustainable pasture management plans have been developed, and pasture grazing schemes are being implemented.
• More than 170 pasture infrastructures were built or overhauled, making 15,365 hectares of pastures accessible to livestock farms.
• About 370 persons (30% female and 70% male) participated in thematic training on pasture monitoring, effective use, sustainable management practices, and experience exchange visits.
• In total 2 environmentally friendly practices or improved procedures for natural resources management introduced and being implemented in 100 rural settlements, one of which concerns rotational grazing in pastures.
• As a result of natural resource management, more than 5,300 agricultural producers in the target settlements (30% female and 70% male) recorded a positive change in the incomes.

The data is updated on 1 st of August, 2020.

• Additional information

Duration:
December 2017 – December 2020

Geography: 100 rural settlements of RA Shirak Region, RA Lori Region, RA Tavush Region, RA Gegharkunik Region

Financed by: Austrian Development Agency, the operational unit of Austrian Development Cooperation, and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation

Implemented by: “Strategic Development Agency” (SDA) NGO

Contact Person: Vahe Hovhannisyan

Address: Sergey Mergelyan St., #3/1

Tel.: +374 (010) 517 528

Email: v.hovhannisyan@sdaoffice.com