Estonia provides educational support for the development of sustainable, organic agriculture in Armenia

Agriculture is of vital economic importance to Armenia. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), it accounts for about 12% of the country's gross domestic product and employs nearly a third of all workers. However, Armenian farmers face many challenges, including insufficient sustainable agricultural practices. Only a small proportion of producers have access to modern storage and processing facilities that would help optimise post-harvest operations. 

Armenia's agricultural sector is also increasingly affected by extreme weather events. Droughts and floods have a major impact on Armenia's agricultural water management and irrigation systems, whose regulation to date has often been inadequate and short-sighted. In addition to environmental concerns, regional political instability and the decline of the Russian market have negatively affected produce sales. 

Considering these circumstances, organic farming has the potential to offer an alternative, more sustainable approach; however, education and skills development in this area require additional support. 

With the support of ESTDEV, the Peipsi Center for Transboundary Cooperation, the Organic Armenian Agricultural Association and the Armenian National Agrarian University launched a joint project to train local agricultural entrepreneurs in organic and sustainable agriculture. 

Estonian and Armenian experts will work together to create an innovative training module that incorporates inclusive teaching methodologies and educational technology solutions supporting the advancement of sustainable agriculture. 

This summer, Armenian agricultural specialists participated in a study visit to Estonia to learn about the development of Estonian organic farming and discuss how to increase the competitiveness of this sector in their country. 

According to Margit Säre, project manager of the Peipsi Center for Transboundary Cooperation, the Armenians were very impressed by the success of Estonian organic farming, as Estonia is at the forefront in the European Union in terms of the proportion of organic to traditionally farmed land. In recent years, an increasing number of schools and kindergartens have also begun offering organic food. 

"The fact that organic farming is doing well in Estonia is also confirmed by the recent news that Võru County is represented among the finalists of the European Union Organic Awards in the category 'Best organic or bio-district in Europe'," said Säre. 

This partnership between universities and civil society organisations, along with the integration of courses into the Armenian National Agrarian University's curriculum, supports the agricultural sector's long-term development. As a result, a new generation of farmers who understand both the economic and social value of organic production will be able to develop more sustainable farming operations. 

Cooperation between Estonia and Armenia is based on a shared understanding that sustainable food production is crucial for the environment, the economy, and the public's well-being. 

"Estonia's experience in working with civil society and developing sustainable agriculture creates a strong foundation for meaningful cooperation. Supporting such cooperation projects that combine people's well-being, economic revitalisation and strengthening society is at the heart of ESTDEV's activities. Boosting inclusive and sustainable economic development in Armenia allows us to meet the goals of Estonian development cooperation," said Kristi Kulu, programme manager for Education at ESTDEV. 

“Through education, the necessary preconditions can be created for the introduction of more conscious and environmentally friendly agricultural practices, which also support both economic competitiveness and social cohesion,” Kulu added.