8 courses on the topics "Pedigree Sheep Breeding", "Greenhouse Farming", "High-value Crops" and Innovative Technologies in Beekeeping" were attended by 154 participants from different regions of Armenia.
"Pedigree Sheep Breeding" course
3 courses on this topic were held in the educational building of the "VIPECO" production laboratory by our partner "KT AGRO" LLC for farmers from all regions of Armenia
Trainers T. Chitchyan and K. Karapetyan presented both the possibilities of conducting traditional sheep breeding, as well as organizing the pedigree work of new breeds and applying more effective methods in Armenian conditions. The features and advantages of a number of breeds, including the Blanch du Massif Central breed, as well as their prospects in our country, were presented. They also talked about their import, sale, as well as state subsidy programs.
The participants were very active and interested. Many shared their experience, presenting the problems of traditional sheep breeding, made comparisons between existing and new breeds.
At the end of the course, the participants evaluated the course and the trainers.
"High-value crops" and "Greenhouse farming" courses
It is already the fifth year that the ACBA Federation, together with the "GREEN PATH" NGO, has been conducting courses on the topic of "High-value crops".
During the reporting period, 2 courses were held, during which the participants got acquainted with the justification for the need to conduct soil laboratory research, methods of soil preparation, nutrition and other regimes correctly / trainer Karen Minasyan /.
Trainer Nune Sarukhanyan presented the peculiarities of the cultivation of traditional plant species and high-value crops, touched upon which high-value crops and their varieties are most effective for cultivation in this or that region, talking in detail about the entire list of activities from seed selection to harvesting. Importance was also given to the possibilities of conducting sustainable agriculture, as well as the correct organization of the process of obtaining quality products and finding ways to sell them.
The group work carried out at the end further strengthened the knowledge gained by the farmers.
The farmers also evaluated the course.
Based on the demand voiced by farmers during last year's training and subsequent special surveys, 2 training courses on the topic of "Greenhouse Farming" were held for the first time this year. The trainers presented in detail the features of growing crops in closed ground, taking into account both the risks and the benefits of this more profitable industry.
"Innovative Technologies in Beekeeping" Course
The courses on this topic have been implemented since last year thanks to the cooperation with the "Beekeeping Forge" Scientific and Educational Center. The trainer, Tigran Sedrakyan, the founding director of the Beekeeping Forge Scientific and Educational Center, first got acquainted with the current problems and expectations of the participating beekeepers. Then, according to the agenda, he touched upon all issues of beekeeping, starting from safety rules to queen rearing and the correct use of sales opportunities. The majority of beekeepers conduct their beekeeping using traditional methods and during the course they asked many questions to clarify what they are doing wrong, why their products are not getting enough or why the fight against diseases is ineffective.
The two-day training took place in a very interactive and interesting atmosphere. At the end, the trainer conducted a special survey to assess the knowledge gained by the participants.
The farmers also evaluated the course.
Further courses will be held according to a set schedule, with the aim of conducting courses on all topics for farmers from all regions of Armenia.
