GREEN LANE

NEWSLETTER Side by side with farmers

#2, March 2007 SUCCESS STORY The Women's Local Extension Research Group (LERG) in Gargar village, Lori marz, together with professional researchers, are implementing applied research activities (mainly in the area of organic farming) based on the needs in their community. page 3

BIOFACH-2007 The World Organic Trade Fair page 9

This new issue of the Green Lane Newsletter has been brought out FOCUS ON AVALON through support from page 6-7 AVALON Foundation.

Read the foreword by Martien Lankester, Executive Director of AVALON

page 2

Armenia is one of the more than 20 countries where Avalon supports local organisations in their activities towards sustainable agriculture and rural development. valon welcomes this new issue of the Green Lane Newsletter on organic Aagriculture development in . Our foundation acknowledges the value of the pioneering work of Green Lane for achieving a more sustainable countryside as important part of a green future for planet earth. Avalon has been working in this field for over 15 years, supporting organisations in more than 20 countries. Martien Lankester Since a few years Armenia is one of these countries, also Executive Director of participating in the Avalon project Organic Agricultural Avalon Chain Development in the Southern Caucasus, Moldova and the Kyrgyz Republic to promote organic farming in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, the Kyrgyz Republic and Moldova.

We have come to know Green Lane as a committed and skilled organisation in our Avalon Network and wish Nune Sarukhanyan and her colleagues a lot of success with their important imp ort ant and inspiring work! May we all reap the fruits from the interesting activities, experiences and learning points that you can read about in this and the following issues of the Green Lane Newsletter.

This new issue of the Green Lane Newsletter has been brought out through support from AVALON Foundation. We highly appreciate the incessant interest shown by our colleagues and friends working with AVALON in the activities of Green Lane. They have not only rendered financial assistance to help us in publishing this newsletter, but have also contributed interesting articles telling about AVALON's mission and activities.

2 Side by side with farmers

SUCCESS STORY ü»ñÙ»ñÇ Ñ»ï ÏáÕù-ÏáÕùÇ Women’s Farmer Extension Research Group

The Women's Local Extension Research Group (LERG) in Gargar village, Lori marz, is operating since 2003. Why research? Because these women, together with professional researchers, are implementing applied research activities (mainly in the area of organic farming) based on the needs in their community. The members of the group are involved in growing medicinal herbs, production of vegetable and melon crops, flower growing, collection We asked the leader of of wild and medicinal herbs. They also carry out comparative studies the group of different varieties of potato and cabbage. The positive results of Armineh Mouradyan trials are transferred to other members of the community. to tell about the accomplished works http://arm.agrowebcac.org/wfg.pdf

women, we became also members of another women's group established in our village through the efforts of the Chairperson of the Democracy Today NGO, Gyulnara Shahinyan. Democracy Today provided a grant of $500 to each of the 10 members to start their own small agricultural business. DT also funded the Green Lane for organizing seminars on organic The members of the group hosting the representative of Bioterra Karen Zalinyan, the head of Gargar community, always supports agriculture practices, appropriate Romanian Organic Farming Association the groups’ participation in different fairs and exhibitions management of farmer groups, - There are five women farmers and on tax policies. periodically hold in the village and initially involved in our LERG. The accessible for anybody who has the preference of the group has been Our hard work combined with the wish. and is producing healthy food. Even aforementioned critical technical prior to setting up the group, over and financial assistance from these All this positive experience helps us the last ten years, we have never two NGOs has resulted in a meet the many challenges that still used any chemicals or mineral significant improvement in the social exist. One of these challenges is the fertilizers. Our women have a solid state of our families. This, along with certification process: though during experience processing their own better incomes, brought about self- the four years of the group's produce in homestead conditions, confidence, and, if you will, self- existence we have produced only which is highly accepted by esteem for our new status in the organic products, but we are not consumer. By the way, we don't community. I would add also able to certify our produce yet. The have any problem in marketing reason is the too high cost of of our produce. Armineh participated in a training in Romania last certification for very small organic Our collaboration with the year within the exchange program implemented land plots that each of us have by the Bioterra Association of Organic Agriculture Green Lane NGO allowed us to (1000-1500 sq.meters). So far, even and the Green Lane supported by the Open certification of the total area establish local and international Society Institute. She now shares with pleasure the business relations and get belonging to the group is not knowledge and experience obtained, which reasonable. involved in different projects. promotes more vitalization of the group's activities.

The experience of the members http://arm.agrowebcac.org/newsletter_12.pdf Another challenge or dream is of our group appears to be having a small office space ‘infectious' and many other equipped with a computer and communication skills that are farmers are now following our internet access. Actually the village incomparable with what we had practices. We are more than mayor's office is ready to provide a before: I think most of us are now pleased to share our experience room for that. We will also place our able to uniquely combine tradition- and knowledge with the rest of the small library there, which is now in keeping rural Armenian women with community, including (and most the house of one of the members of these new (sometimes the newest) importantly) the children from the the group as well as our certificates business concepts and new Young Naturalist's Club at the local awarded by the Green Lane to the knowledge. These skills are high school. women's farmer group in Gargar apparently useful in particular during during 2005-2006. the field days and seminars that we In 2005, together with five other 3 WORKING PARTNERSHIP FOR THE BENEFIT OF FARMERS The keystone to success is cooperation and partnership with other organizations dedicated to the same goals you are striving to achieve. We are happy to introduce the organizations Green Lane is cooperating with to double its efforts in supporting farmers and agricultural businesses in Armenia.

www.acdivoca.org www.acdivoca.org/acdivoca/PortalHub.nsf/ID/armeniaFtF ACDI VOCA ARMENIA Farmer-to-Farmer Caucasus Program (FtF). HELPING AGRIBUSINESS GROW… Active in Armenia since 1992, Dora Ramsey to visit Armenia and agricultural production in Armenia and ACDI/VOCA began to implement its FtF share professional expertise with the securing sustainable institutional Program in the Caucasus as a whole in Green Lane team and partner farmer development for Green Lane. 1996 and since that time over 900 groups and unions. All of them are volunteer assignments have professionals practi- We highly appreciate what is being been completed. U.S. volunte- cally working in the done by the ACDI/VOCA colleagues to ers provide technical assistance field of organic make it possible to us and other to local farmers, farmer groups, farming for a long organizations and individuals in agribusinesses and rural credit period of time and Armenia to benefit from the expertise of organizations contributing to really willing to take the development of private part in the develop- farms and enterprises, agricu- ment efforts through- ltural service organizations and out the world. With rural credit institutions. their knowledge and experience, they are Over the last two years, making an outstand- ACDI/VOCA assisted three U.S. ing contribution to John Bobbe with ATC students volunteers and Honorable visiting a greenhouse in Darakert both strengthening Members of Green Lane NGO, the emerging John Bobbe, Silvia Ehrhardt and organic sector of the Dora Ramsey with the members of Jrahovit Farmer Research and Extension Group Farmer-to-Farmer (FtF) Program is a worldwide initiative first authorized by the US Congress in 1985 to provide for the transfer of knowledge and expertise of the US agricultural producers and businesses to the U.S. colleagues. However the middle-income countries and emerging democracies. FtF provides voluntary technical assistance to farmers, farmer groups, and agribusinesses in developing and transitional countries to promote ACDI/VOCA team sees the FtF sustainable improvements in food processing, production, and marketing. The program relies on the program as being of benefit not only to expertise of volunteers from US farms, land grant universities, private agribusinesses, NGOs, etc to the hosts but also to the volunteers. respond to the local needs of the host country farmers and organizations.

SUCCESS GOES ON… In the first issue of the Newsletter, under the title “Success Story”, we had told the story of the Farmer Field School involved in organic produce in Gandzakar village, Tavush marz. We are happy to state now that, thanks to the collaboration with World Vision, this group of farmers had a successful

In this high mountain region farmers sow start in 2007 as well. organic winter wheat by hand http://arm.agrowebcac.org/GL_newsletter.pdf World Vision provided a great support to the group by growing. This year they will be providing two tractors, 12 heads of cows, and a forage trying to expand the crop areas grinder. In addition, the members of the group initiated a to meet the this growing production of organic wheat by the support from the Green demand among consumers. In Lane and World Vision. Barley and spelt will also be seeded future, they are planning also to this year: get involved in organic animal breeding. They are already trying So far the members of the to shift to organic feed farmer group in Gandzakar production, with cereals being have been basically involved the priority crops. in vegetable production Hopefully, mother nature will (green beans, cucumber, be good to these hard working The first calf was born... Kids are always glad to help to tomato, garlic, pepper, basil, group of farmers by rewarding take care of it and parsley) as well as in with abundant yields in the fall. collection of wild berries. The The wheat being cleansed by Azotovit products were mainly sold in World Vision International the regional center; however http://www.wvarmenia.am the farmers find it possible to World Vision Int is a Christian humanitarian organization working to create market part of the product in where there is lasting change in the lives of children, families and communities living in specialized store for organic products. poverty. World Vision came to Armenia eighteen years ago providing emergency aid to the victims of December 1988 devastating earthquake. During the next eighteen years WV's projects have gone beyond meeting The farmers state that the gross volume of the produce in the demands of crisis situations to changing the quality of life in entire 2006, unfortunately, was small, while the demand for it is now communities and helping to restore their country.

4 Side by side with farmers

THESE ORGANIZATIONS ALSO SUPPORT DEVELOPMENT OF ORGANIC AGRICULTURE IN ARMENIA Development of organic agriculture is a complex and complicated task, accomplishment of which requires time and concert action of different organizations and professionals working in this field. We highly appreciate what is being done by all our colleagues working hard towards strengthening the organic production sector in Armenia and we pay great attention to the activities and achievements of our partner organizations. Currently in Armenia there are a number of organizations supporting organic agriculture one way or another, and SHEN NGO is one of the leaders amongst them. One of SHEN’s activity directions since 2002 is supporting the development of organic farming and creation of awareness of organic food in our country.

SHEN NGO www.organic.am www.shen.am

Shen NGO implemented the Project for Covering thousands of kilometers of Strengthening Organic Agriculture in countryside roads into faraway, ECOGLOB Southern Caucasus supported by the environmentally clean areas of Armenia, Swiss Agency for Development and the Shen extensionists introduce organic www.ecoglobe.am Cooperation and EPER (Entraide farming principles to farmers, explain the The First National Organic Food Protestante Suisse). benefits and challenges and provide practical consultancy. They are sure that Certification Body the major challenge is to evoke change One of the first activities within the Within the “Project for Strengthening in the minds of farmers. framework of this project was the Organic Agriculture in Southern establishment of the Organic Produc- FAIR TRADE Caucasus”, the first independent tion Standard approved in 2004. Our colleagues working with Shen are certifying body, EcoGlobe was www.organic.am/doc/Standards-06- established in Armenia in 2002. 1-01-03.pdf sure that it is necessary to support marketing of the Armenian organic produce on both domestic and foreign EcoGlobe has ORGANIC ORCHARDS markets to secure sustainable growth in been established this sector of agriculture. as a result of the ON THE RESERVE LANDS growing interest As organic farming has also a strong among farmers social dimension, most of the export is and processors realized through Fair Trade channels. toward organic Already for three years, Armenian methods of farm- organic dried apricots and herbs have ing. been sold in Switzerland though Fair Trade Company Claro. Today, EcoGlobe ensures the com- patibility of mar- In autumn 2006, through support from keted Armenian Shen NGO and financial assistance from products with the As the concept of organic farming is very EPER and SDC, the Organic Food and organic stan- new to start with Shen decided to rent Consumers Association opened the first dards, thus pro- reserve land and encourage farmers to organic shop in Armenia - “Amour Koriz”. tecting interests of consumers and try organic farming methods without The shop sells fresh and dried fruits and helping the producer enter the jeopardizing their private land plots - the vegetables, herbs and nuts. international market. Currently, the main source of their incomes. organization is working with 35 farmers and processors in Armenia As a result, in village of who are in different stages of control. region and Argina village of According to data provided by Armavir region there are two fully EcoGlobe, there are 550 hectares of organic fruit orchards with total acreage land currently under organic control of 110ha established through support and certification. Every year, from ICCO, EED, EPER and Christian Aid. EcoGlobe organizes special training A 20 year old apricot orchard on 6 ha in courses for inspectors and agri- Ashtarak has also been converted into cultural producers on national and organic. All three orchards have international levels. certificates provided by EcoGlobe Ltd. All the generated profit goes back to the §Amour Koriz¦ communities through the local the first organic shop in Armenia The shop has delivery service, and in addition community foundations. it is possible to buy everything you need through internet and e-mail. [email protected] www.organic.am 5 Focus on Avalon

Green Lane Agricultural Assistance NGO is an active member of the Avalon Network. Armenia is one of the more than 20 countries where Avalon supports local organisations in their activities towards sustainable agriculture and rural development. A focus on Avalon.

Plan together, work together… The Avalon Foundation is an international non- profit organisation, based in the Netherlands, supporting sustainable rural development in the Central and Eastern European region and beyond. In Avalon's view, the interlinked instruments of organic farming, agri- environmental policy and market development provide the basis for sustainable rural development. With an experienced staff of project managers Network Meeting in Czech Republic and associated experts, Avalon cooperates with local and national organisations, governments, international advocacy groups, university research institutes and the business community in implementing a wide range of activities and projects. Combining forces and working together, Avalon helps local organisations to create solid sustainable rural communities. Avalon's role Avalon seeks to fulfil its mission through activities and projects, and by developing concepts that provide a basis for progress in years to come. The projects and activities all relate to one or more of the three main Avalon pillars:

- Sustainable Rural Development - Agri - Environmental Policy Network Meeting in Poland - Knowledge and Capacity Building

Together, these pillars form the basis for a solid organisation of a sustainable countryside.

From farm to fork Avalon has extended its work field by considering the total organic and sustainable production chain as its point of departure. In many project countries the primary production of organic products has been mobilised, and the need for support has shifted to other links in the chain. An integrated approach of the production chain - from producer to consumer - is now at the heart of all Avalon projects and activities.

A broader horizon As a number of central, east and south-east European states have now joined the EU, the boundaries of the Avalon arena are continuously shifting. Avalon assisted most new member states in preparing for new legislation in the area of agriculture and the environment required for EU membership, and in introducing and implementing those policies. With the admission of these new members, the EU acquired several new neighbors who in turn will be seeking EU membership. Next to the countries in Central and Eastern Europe, where Avalon has been active for a longer period of time, Avalon is currently expanding to the states adjoining the new EU, reaching from the Caucasus to Central Asia and Turkey. Promoting sustainable rural development in the Central and Eastern European region and beyond...

The Avalon Network During 15 year s off rui t ful coope r atio n wit h man y lo c al organisa ti o ns, the cno tinuously growing number of concta ts has developed into a livelygcr and ener eti network of mo e than 120 organisations that are ave cti in the feild of o r gan ic agr i culture, natur e conservation, biodiversity adnu s stainable rural deve lopment. Aekvalon develop d a networ programme, whiesch cr ate synergy and moaotivates co- per tion and nea w initi tives - it South East Europe project: visit to Holland contribut es ttho e common obje ctive of all network members through an array of instruments:

w Supporting Avar lon Network membe s with regar d to atten ding/organising inr te national events/exchange vis i ts w Network mee tings w The Avaer lon N two k Newsletters w The Avalon ExtraNet: knowledge database exclus ively for Aaonvl Ne twork members w Exchange visi ts w Promrs otional visits to B u sels and nationag l overnments wJoit n prodject evpet elo m n and fund raising

Membershiifl p of the n orma Avalon Net wo rk is feer of charg e. Morei nformn ation ca be found at www.avalon.nl

Avaj lon pro ect in Arm en ia InArmeia, nG Azerbaijan, eorgia, the Kyrgyz Rep ublic and Moldova, Avalon works together whit its respective locpa al project rtners, EcoGlobe, GABA AsAcngrobusines sso iatio , Elkana, ULGU and ProRur al Invest, in the project Organic Agrihcultural C ain Dev elopment in the Southern Causca usdt , Moldova an he Kyrgyz Republic. Theef proj ct is unded by the Netherlands Foreigntu Minis ry nder its co-financing pr ogramme. The socecpecific bje tiv of the proje t is to establish structures for oinrganic agriculture traing, “Organic agriculture history, production, extenp sion and roduction n ad also to develop certification, inspection and accreditation” outlets and to raiser awa eness among producers International training in Yerevan, Armenia and cono sumers. The basis of the methodol gy is to cnoordi ate the local partners' activities and planning in the participating countries arnd to c eate synergy. To enhance knowl edge ai nd sk lls, the proje c t offers training, exchange vsiitsa , ccess to the Aavlno Network and other forms of support. Th e partnea rs have considerable liberty to ajd ust activities to theti situa on in the c otun ry. The prfso oject ocu es n the en t ire org anic chain (hence the nam e ) . Themes includ e or g anic agriculture and certificati on, lobbying - both at pminolicy ak ng a d publid c a minis torati n lev e- l Participants of the training in Yerevan and inigui volv n bsnesses in prod uction and marketing. The project is underway for one and a halfr yea now and the coun ntries are exchangi g knowledge and infortat mation. Con cts within he framework of an international org anic farming neteeen work ar d v lopi g. Eventuajt lly the pro ec hoe p s to contribute to a hig hr e standard of living in the rural communitiesnicsadnrg and to a n reased upply nd ema d fo or anic prot duc s.

7 ORGANICS IN ARMENIA

“Organic Food Products in the UK”. analysis for organics was This report can be accessed on the conducted for Armenia with the web by going to Google and following results: entering “Organic Food Products in S = Strengths are available the UK, USDA”. land and a strong motivation to proceed with organics. USDA MAP staff members W = Weaknesses are the Jeffrey Engels and I have felt that distance to export markets and Armenia was a natural for poor roads and transportation. organic production. This is O = Opportunities are in strong especially the case as the overseas market demand and mountain and pre-mountain growing each year. Larry Yager ( USA) areas of the country have not T = Threats include expensive Consultant on Marketing, Penn used commercial fertilizers and input costs, high fuel costs, and State University pesticide chemicals since possible corruption. independence in 1991. The primary reasons for this is the Many countries moving to In1997-2004 Larry Yager worked unavailability of these products satisfy the increasing demand for in Armenia with the USDA and lack of funds to purchase organic food have strong Marketing Assistance Project. He them if they were available. government involvement in has made a great contribution developing policies, regulations to the introduction of the Engels and I visited with and subsidies during the western Martien Lankester, the Executive conversion stage. Should the models of cooperatives and the Director of the Avalon Foun- Armenian Ministry of Agriculture dissemination of the concepts of dation in the Netherlands and establish the infrastructure and organic farming in Armenia. attended the IFOAM Inter- standards equivalent to the EU national World Conference in requirements? As timing is Victoria, Canada. They learned important and because of the An FAO report titled “World that many countries worldwide politics involved, this may be a Markets for Organic Fruits and are struggling with the same Vegetables” states there is a viable lengthier and more complicated questions about organics that and value-added market niche for alternative. developing countries in exporting to Armenia has. We were proud to the developed countries. In the UK, realize that Armenia is not at the for example, demand for organic bottom of the ladder as Armenia food was increasing about 40 has done much compared to percent per year while production other countries. was increasing only 25 percent. The report also indicated that the value These visits increased their of total organic sales in the five major interest and recognition of the countries in Europe amounted to potential for organic production nearly 5 billion US dollars. The main and processing in Armenia. As a reasons for the increasing interest in result, they were instrumental in buying organics are food safety, health, environmental concerns, forming the Armenian National freshness and taste. Mainstream Organic Action Plan Committee consumers are now asking for in 2002. The committee had a organics, and in US and European broad range of individuals supermarkets there are now large representing Extension, Ag organic sections. Academy researchers, Ministry of Agriculture, processors, farmers Former USDA MAP Director, Dr. and NGOs involved in organics. Craig Infanger and this author conducted research in the UK on Thanks for sound food! organics. Their interesting and helpful A SWOT (Strengths, Weak- insights are found in a report, nesses, Opportunities, Threats) 8 Side by side with farmers

PARTICIPATION IN BIOFACH - 2007 THE WORLD ORGANIC TRADE FAIR

This year, on February 15-18, the Green Lane NGO, together with some other Armenian organizations involved in organic agriculture - EcoGlobe Ltd, MAG Bee-Keeping Farm, Tamara Fruit Ltd and CHIR Ltd - attended BioFach - 2007 World Organic Trade Fair that brings together about 2,000 exhibitors - two thirds from abroad - and 33,000 trade visitors from some 100 countries to Nurnberg every year in February. Participation of the Armenian organizations has and been supported by the Armenian Agribusiness SME Market Developm ent Project and Avalon Foundation.

In the beginning of each year, organization, including the first traditionally Nurnberg hosts edition of its newsletter, as well as internationally attended BioFach the organic thyme tea - “Spirit of World Organic Trade Fair. Noravanq” - being produced by Thousands of exhibitors and trade the company headed by Hazara- visitors from all over the world pet Nazaryan, one of the active come to Germany to partake in members of our organization. this world organic celebration. Many of the fair guests showed interest in this herbal tea. In particu- lar it attracted an Estonian businessman On the days of Andrei Grokhotov’s the fair, Avalon attention. He offered Foundation to help export large conducted an interesting se- minar dedi- cated to the issues of develo- quantities of ping organic agriculture in the this organic tea Everything can be Eastern European countries, taking to Estonia pro- found here: from food into account the experience of the viding that the to essential oils, per- Western Europe and the global Armenian part- fume, candles, clo- trends of organic production. thes, plates and dishes ners secure - all certified and continuous, all- labeled as organic the-year-round and thus safe for delivery. human health and environment. However, there are still some This year Armenia was presented problems with exporting the mainly by its organic food Armenian organic produce to other production - dried apricots, spices, countries, and amongst them honey, marmalades, juices, glace meeting internationally accepted fruits, berries and frozen vegetables. certification standards remains the main concern. To find its consumer on the foreign markets, this tea, just Green Lane presented some like any other product, has to fit publications telling about the those standards. mission and activities of the 9 ARMENIAN ORGANIC AGRICULTURE FOUNDATION

The Armenian Organic Agriculture Foundation (AOAF) was founded in 2003 as a result of two years of discussion between the interested local stakeholders and many international agencies and projects (USDA, DAI-ASME, USAID, FAO, etc). The primary purpose of the Foundation is to become the national organic umbrella organization, which would coordinate, unite, promote and support the development of organic agriculture and production in Armenia. To achieve the declared goals, AOAF works hard towards developing its capacities to provide professional services to interested farmer and consumer groups, marketing organizations, governmental agencies and processors.

Currently, the Foundation is carrying and complete organic demo farm in Organic Certification and Control Body out a Project for Establishment of an Armenia will allow farmers to gain will provide the quality control and Organic Demo Farm in Armenia. The knowledge and practical experience of certification services. purpose of the project is to establish a growing organic grain, fruits and demo farm on the basis of Dimitrov vegetables. In addition, through its Along with different other projects farmlands in Ararat region of Armenia. This training facilities, a demo farm can aiming to support the Government of project is being carried out through become an educational center that Armenia to develop the organic sector, support from the UNDP Armenia. provides both theoretical and practical the Foundation has also played an active education to farmer groups, university role in drafting the Law on Organic The Dimitrov farm occupies 12 students, and agricultural specialists Farming. The Law is expected to be hectares of arable land in Dimitrov village interested in organic farming. passed by the National Assembly of of Ararat valley. It has been developed by Armenia this year. This will create more AOAF as its base for research. Under the project, organic orchards of favorable legal environment for mainline fruit trees will be established and development of organic sector of the Our colleagues working with the some plots will be put under cultivation of Armenian economy. Foundation are sure that having a sound organic grain and vegetables. EcoGlobe

2005 - 2007: BRIEF REVIEW

This year Green Lane became a Conference that will take place in member of the World Society for the Belgrade, on October 10-12, 2007. The In 2005 Green Lane NGO became a Protection of Animals (WSPA). participants of the Conference will discuss member of the Avalon Network that links issues regarding the development of over 120 organizations active in organic We are sure that our membership in environmental policies in EECCA agriculture, nature conservation, bio- this organization will help us be more countries. diversity and rural sustainable develop- successful in our efforts to secure animal ment. health and welfare on farms as well as to www.unece.org/env/europe/ make the animal welfare the focus of The Avalon Network is a valuable the public’s and policy-makers’ source of knowledge and experience for attention in Armenia. Green Lane’s all member organizations. Twice, in 2005 activities in this field are being and in 2006, Green Lane took part in the coordinated by Dr Tigran Chitchyan. Avalon Network annual meetings. In 2005 the meeting was held in Krakow, www.wspa.org.uk Poland, and in 2006 the Avalon members came together in Prague, In November 2006, one of the young Czech Republic, to discuss among other professionals working with Green Lane - topics some issues regarding the Tigran Khachatryan, took part in the development of the organic food meeting of the Caucasian NGOs held in production national plans. In February 2006, our organization Tbilisi, Georgia, within the frame of the took part in the 17th Annual Upper Environment for Europe process - a unique Midwest Organic Farming Conference partnership of the member states within (UMOFC) held by the Midwest Organic the UNECE region, the UN organizations and Sustainable Education Service represented in the region, other inter- (MOSES) in Wisconsin, USA. governmental organizations, regional environment centres, NGOs and other Participation of the Green Lane groups. representatives in this event has been supported by MOSES as well as the The participants of the meeting Organic Farmers’ Agency for Relationship learned more about the environmental Marketing (OFARM), Organic Valley policy development process in Eastern Farmer-Owned Co-operative and Europe, Caucasus and Central Asia Midwestern BioAg - an biologically-based (EECCA) and about the local agri-consulting company. We take this organizations coordinating this process. Read more about the Avalon occasion to thank all our partners for their The meeting helped the Caucasian Network on the pages 7-8 or visit the support. NGOs to prepare for the upcoming Avalon’s website: Environment for Europe Sixth Ministerial www.mosesorganic.org www.avalon.nl 10 Side by side with farmers

2005 - 2007: Brief Review Research and New Technologies

We actively cooperate with the Armenia is taking intense steps to develop organic agriculture Bioterra Organic Farming Association of Romania. Every year our repre- sector right up to implementing the National Law on Organic sentatives partake in the conferences Agriculture expected to be passed by the parliament this year. The and exchange programs organized by scientists and researchers also have to keep pace with this Bioterra. This is a fruitful cooperation that advance. That’s why, Green Lane in cooperation with its member creates more and more opportunities for knowledge and experience sharing scientists and partner institutions, conducts applied research in between Armenian and Romanian organic agriculture. farmers and researchers. ORGANIC METHODS FOR PEST, WEED AND DISEASE CONTROL July-August, 2006 - Green Lane and Bioterra, through support from the Open Society Institute’s East-East Program, In 2004, the USDA Marketing Assistance Project organized Days of Organic Agriculture in funded two small grant programs for introducing Armenia and Romania. weed and disease organic control methods - August 2005 - Our representatives “Weed control with vinegar solution” and “Disease visited Romania to take part in the control with baking soda solution”. The projects “Biofarm models in the Southern Romania” were completed in 2005, but to ensure validity exchange program. and adequacy of the obtained results, the Green October 2005 - Green Lane Lane team continued research in the next two participated in the Bioterra’s Conference years and developed new technologies that are on Ecological Agriculture. now effectively used by farmers. www.bioterra.org.ro

In addition, efficiency of the pest control with garlic solution has been tested in 2005-2006 in cooperation with the researchers from the Scientific Centre for Agriculture and Plant Protection as well as with the members of the Research and Advisory Farmer Group of Jrahovit village (Ararat region). The results obtained dispelled the farmers’ doubts about the efficiency of the non-conventional organic methods for disease and weed control and convinced them of the possibility to solve the problems they face through practical cooperation with researchers and scientists.

CROP VARIETY TESTING Our members took part in the training on This year, four newly introduced chickpea organic agriculture at the International varieties tested by the Green Lane and Agriculture Center (IAC) in Wagenin- Action Against Hunger International gen, the Netherlands. Foundation teams have been www.iac.wur.nl recommended for variety zonation in Armenia. In addition, our specialists have It is always interesting and amazing to tested two bean varieties already listed in the National Register of Crop communicate and work with children. Varieties . Both varieties are disease and pest resistant and are The Green Lane team has organized a recommended for growing in organic farming systems. number of training programs and educational events for kids in Syunik, ASSESSMENT OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES Tavoush and Vayots Dzor regions of Armenia. Green Lane is cooperating with the Agricultural Support Republic (National) Center in implementation of the small-scale projects for assessment of new agrarian technologies. Under these projects, our specialists work towards introduction of new legume cultivation technologies and more effective methods for disease and pest control as well as crop variety testing.

AZOTOVIT: ORGANIC FERTILIZER

GL members working at the Yerevan State University and the Research Center for In the picture: Vegetable Crops have studied and “Impact of the organic farming upon the estimated the impact of AZOTOVIT organic birds’ life” seminar conducted by Green fertilizer upon the growth and productivity Lane and the Armenian Society for the of different crops. Protection of Birds (ASPB). Young participants of the seminar taking part in the Contact us to get more information about our research projects “Birds in nature” drawing contest. [email protected] www.aspbirds.org 1111 Green Lane supports its members to market their production We are glad to present the thyme tea produced by NORAVANQI SHOUNCH Ltd. N O NORAVANQI I

SHOUNCH Ltd ZAT

offers its production NI to all herb tea lovers ORGA

Enjoy the tea prepared from thyme that has been collected in virgin L

mountain areas if Vayouts Dzor TA N

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Who We Are and How to Become a CE Member... N TA OUR MISSION Green Lane thanks all its

Assist in production and marketing of high quality, competitive members, partners and SSIS agricultural products via formation of farmer groups and A sponsors for their valuable cooperatives thus improving the income of the member farmers, L people co-operating with them, and processors who are buying contribution to this from the member farmers. Our goal is to provide the population with newsletter and for RA healthy and safe agricultural products and sustainable supporting our initiatives U T development of rural communities. and projects. UL

OUR VISION C To tighten the cooperation with local and international private and I public orga-nizations which will help our beneficiaries improve

their income. AGR

E CONTACT US MEMBERSHIP N ` Citizens of the RA and foreign citizens who are above 18 years of A

16/29 Heratsi St, L age and accept the by-laws of “Green Lane” NGO can become 375025, Yerevan, Armenia members of the organization. Phone: +374 (10) 57 57 79 N E-mail: [email protected] The requirements to become a member of our organization are a EE written application on the name of the president of the organization GR and annual membership fees as follows: w $ 20 for the citizens of Armenia w $ 60 for foreign citizens Edited by Sos Avetisyan w $100 for honorable members w $300-500 for the Friends of Green Lane w $2,000 and up to become a sponsor