Funded by Global Greengrants Fund
Voskevan village belongs to Noyemberyan region of Tavoush Province. It is located in the North-East of Armenia at 900-950 meters above sea level. The distance from Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, is 190 km, and from the province center is 35 km. The village borders on Azerbaijan and is 1 km far from the border. The village is 650 years old. The population is 1521. There are 401 families and 300 households in the village. Local people are mainly engaged in farming and livestock breeding.
Remoteness of the village from the capital made it vulnerable and deprives the village from opportunities to be engaged in implementation of different supporting agricultural programs as well as to have access to information and agricultural consultation services.
Villagers face many problems: lack of job opportunities, high prices and unavailability of pesticides on the spot, uncontrolled usage of pesticides. Villagers are not provided with consultation service on farming particularly on proper use and management of pesticides.
One–sided fertilization with nitrogen mineral fertilizers is one of major problems. The so-called selitra (nitrogen fertilizer) is very expensive and unaffordable for many farmers. There is also lack of understanding and knowledge about the use of organic waste as a source for producing organic fertilizer.
The current project proposal is going to address and contribute to the solution of the above- mentioned problems.
The way of thinking of farmers should be changed in order to turn back to the nature and to recognize that in nature there is a mutual interdependence. You can’t only take from nature, but also you have to pay back.
| Project Goal:
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Strengthen capacity of local people to reduce pesticides use and promote the development of sustainable agriculture in Voskevan community. |
| Project objectives :
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• To raise awareness on IPM, pesticides use reduction and sustainable agriculture among farmers in Voskevan community by the end of project implementation
• To establish demonstrational a farm on IPM implementation, plant tinctures preparation, bio humus production and use in the Voskevan community by the end of project implementation • To enhance the capacity of the “Rural Sustanable Development” Agricultural Foundation in addressing issues on national policy and international experience in pesticide use reduction and IPM implementation by the end of project implementation |
Project activities:
1.1 Carrying out the community-based observation-research on socio- economic and agro-ecological conditions in Voskevan community
The questionnaire for carrying out the community-based observation-research on socio- economic and agro-ecological conditions in Voskevan community was developed. There were conducted 21 interviews with rural people. The results of interviews were analyzed by SPSS program and the report was developed, which is available in Armenian.
1.2 Creation, printing and dissemination of information materials on IPM, alternatives to pesticides, composting and bio-humus making
The Foundation developed and printed 2 booklets (in English): one about the Foundation and its activities and the other one about agro ecotourism and volunteering in the farm. These information materials were distributed among the interested stakeholders. Development of agro ecotourism can contribute to rural development.
Information materials on IPM, alternatives to pesticides, composting and bio-humus making were provided by our partner “Armenian Women for Health and Healthy Environment” NGO /AWHHE /, copied and distributed to farmers during the seminars and field classes.
1.3 Updating the website and putting the information on implemented project on website
The website of foundation was updated; the information on project implementation was put there. See at: www.ruraldaf.am
1.4 Organizing a seminar for farmers on sustainable agriculture
The seminar on sustainable agriculture for farmers was organized at the Youth Center of the village Voskevan on 30 June 2010.
During the seminar the problems related to the agriculture were discussed and the possibilities of development of sustainable agriculture in the village were presented.
Farmers were divided into two groups and held a discussion about their problems related to agriculture and the ways of solving these problems. Afterwards, the representative from each group presented the outcomes of their discussions. Finally we agreed on that they would make a priority list and try to prepare a plan of future activities which could be useful for them.
2.1 Choosing the demonstration farm
The demonstrational farm for implementation of IPM approach and composting was chosen.
2.2 Organizing a field class on IPM and alternatives to pesticides for farmers in Voskevan community
The field class on IPM approach and alternatives to pesticides was organized on 01 July 2010. During the field class the farmers learned about IPM and its implementation. They were taught to prepare plant tinctures and acquired knowledge on what pests and when these tinctures should be applied. They learned how they could manage the pests instead of straggling against them. Plant tinctures from wormwoods (Artemisia absinthium) and milfoil (Achillea millefolium) and garlic were prepared and applied in the demonstrational farm. The participants of the field class were shown a film about the harm of pesticides. Seedlings of vegetables have been provided to farmers in Voskevan community.
2.3 Organizing a field class on composting and bio humus production in Voskevan community
The field class on composting and bio- humus making was organized. The concept of compost and bio-humus was explained to farmers. The films “How to make a compost” and “Bio-humus” were shown. Also was it explained how and when compost can be used.
2.4 Preparation of plant tinctures and curing of trees by plant tinctures
Plant tinctures from wormwoods (Artemisia absinthium) and milfoil (Achillea millefolium) and garlic were prepared and applied in the demonstrational farm.
2.5 Preparation of composting pile for bio-humus production
3 composting piles in 3 households for bio-humus production were made in Voskevan village.
2.6 Obtaining and transportation of Californian red worms for bio-humus production
35000 Californian red worms were obtained and transported to Voskevan and spread onto the composting piles on 30 July 2010.
2.7 Demonstration of the use of compost and bio-humus
During the field class on composting and bio-humus making the process of application of compost and bio-humus as an organic fertilizer was demonstrated. The compost was applied to trees, vegetables; also a tea from compost was prepared and applied.
3.1 Preliminary preparations (collection of information, choosing the place, inviting the experts and participants and etc.) for organizing a workshop
The initially planned workshop for NGOs and local authorities on national policy and international experience in pesticide use reduction and IPM implementation changed a bit, because we decided to organize an event dedicated to the celebration of Rural Women’s International Day together with AWHHE NGO.
We combined the workshop with the celebration of Rural Women’s International Day. All interested authorities and NGOs were invited to the open exhibition-fair of products, grown by rural women without any pesticides. Rural women from 6 villages were invited to take part in the celebration. Small presents were prepared for them. The room of exhibition-fair was designed with colored balloons and a big poster. The press release was developed and sent to mass media.
3.2 Organizing a workshop for NGOs and local authorities on national policy and international experience in pesticide use reduction and IPM implementation
On the 15th of October, 2010 at 12:00 p.m. the event dedicated to the Rural Women’s International Day took place at the Fundamental Scientific Library of the National Academy of Sciences (address: Baghramyan 24D, room 610). During the day the issue of IPM approach and alternatives to pesticides was discussed with rural women. They told about their positive experience in growing the crops without using pesticides. The “Rural Sustainable Development” Agricultural Foundation, organizing this event together with AWHHE NGO, also pursued the same objective: to emphasize the importance of women’s role and present them a small holiday, as well as to afford an opportunity to strike up an acquaintance with one another and share their experience. That was a unique possibility to buy ecologically safe products immediately from the farmer. The rural women were really happy. They received many thanks, flowers and presents for their diligent work. It was not a gray day and, as one of the women mentioned, the most important thing was the attention they were paid to.
3.3 Reporting on the results of the workshop
The information about the day was put on the websites of both organizations. Mass media reacted to the event. (See at : http://www.ecolur.org/hy/news/2010-10-25/1584/)
- Participation in “Week without Pesticides” 20-30 March.
“Rural sustainable Development” Agricultural Foundation participated in Week without Pesticide by organizing series of lectures on issue of pesticide management and alternatives to pesticide at the Armenian State Agrarian University.
- Different books and special devices (“flat- cutters”) for soil plowing were obtained from St. Petersburg and delivered among the farmers from the village Voskevan.
- The villager from Voskevan participated in training
on construction of solar dryers. He provided the construction materials, they constructed a solar dryer and on 02 November 2010 we organized its transportation to Voskevan. On 03 November 2010 we organized a seminar on construction of solar dryers in Voskevan.
The solar dryer was given to the women group in Voskevan for the purpose of producing dried fruits.
The seminar on prophylaxis and treatment of hypertension by the help of different plant tinctures was organized upon request of the villagers on 04 November 2010.
The project achieved its goal and even more. Rural people gained knowledge and skills and began to implement them in their farms. In more than 10 households people stopped using pesticides and started to implement IPM approach. Rural women group planned to implement sustainable agriculture in their village. At present they also have a solar dryer for their income generating activities.
