January 2008

Volume 2, issue 1

CARD ORGANIZES ENGLISH CLASSES FOR NEW IRRIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RURAL YOUTH GUARANTEE EFFICIENT WATER MANAGEMENT

In the majority of Armenian villages English language classes Precise irrigation mode technology is one of the are being organized in a very poor manner, as there is a lack of important conditions for effective use of water resoures qualified English language instructors. On the other hand, and improvement of irrigation process. From 2005-2007, knowledge of foreign languages, particularly English, is as a result of cooperation becoming more and more important for the development of a between USDA, the person in terms of Center for Agribusiness providing access to a and Rural Development wide base of (CARD), the Armenian information in English State Agrarian through Internet and University Extension literature. Department, the Farm The trainings were Water Usage Management Research Center and organized in Syunik, specialists from Utah University, five electronic stations Lori, Tavush and and 30 ET gauges were imported to . Gegharkunik regions. This equipment automatically fixes evaporation figures For six months, from soil and crop surfaces and uses results in the approximately 15 Youth Clubs with 10-15 members ages 11 – selection of a precise mode of irrigation. For the 17, were selected taught English by volunteer trainers from the implementation of the project, 24 out of 30 ET gauges U.S. Peace Corps Armenia organization. The weekly trainings were installed in farms and six in Water Users welcomed local English teachers to follow the classes. They Associations (WUA). Every day measurements were were able to taken by ASC (Agricultural Support Center), Water Users observe new Association specialists or teaching techniques directly by farmers. and methods Periodically seminars applied by the were organized in 30 volunteers for sites, during which the future use. The results were analyzed and teachers were presented to 150 farmers selected on a and WUA specialists. volunteer basis. Results found that it is possible to reduce the irrigation of The project will crops by 2-3 times which will in turn reduce the water provide an usage and save considerable resources. increased opportunity for rural youth participation in U.S. As a result, the farmers saved between 7,000 and 10,000 exchange programs such as FLEX of ACTR/ ACCELS. AMD for water usage fee and increased agro technical effectiveness by 10-20 percent. Two hundred fifty three specialists from WUAs and ASCs analyzed the results and observed an increase in yield and effective usage of water in 30 farms during vegetation period.

CARD #74 Teryan Str., 0009, Armenia Tel. (374 10) 54-57-11, 54-57-12, 54-57-13, 52-52-34, 54-00-16; Fax: (374 10) 58-79-28; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: www.card.am The second product shipment means that Canada is not FIRST EXPORT OF ARMENIAN JUICES AND just a test market but PRESERVES TO CANADA Euroterm is completing gradual penetration into a new market. The appreciation of Armenian dram against foreign currencies This collaboration will help forced competition for Armenian products in local and promote Armenian products international markets. Net export, one component of economic and create opportunities for growth, is usually one of the key points for development export of other products in agencies working in the economic development sector. The the future. This is the first Center for Agribusiness and Rural Development (CARD) uses step of market development several methods to promote export of Armenian food products for Armenian products in and one of the most efficient ways proved to be participation Canada and CARD in international exhibitions. continues to work with the In September 2006, CARD presented products of several current importer and other interested parties in Canada to Armenian companies in the Ethnic and Specialty Food Expo export a wider range of Armenian products. in Toronto, Canada. The range of products presented in Canada included juice and preserves, herbal tea and wines. The demand for ethnic and specialty food products in Canada is vast and fast growing. Toronto, alone has more An Educational Tour on International than 6,500 ethnic and Standards of Packaging in Israel traditional restaurants, but even the non-ethnic CARD Foundation, in cooperation with ACDI/VOCA restaurants are including supported ArmenPack association of packagers and the ethnic or fusion dishes in Presidents of 2 Farmers Associations from Armavir their menu as diners region (Kadjik Davtyan demand healthier and and Simon Asatryan) to more tantalizing items. take part in an As the population educational tour in Israel. expands, the industry The educational tour was will need to keep pace organized upon invitation and respond accordingly. of Mrs. Caroline Nave A difficult to acquire from the Israel Export & import license was required of alcoholic beverages resulting in International Cooperation Institute and Mr. Nahum greater interest in juice and preserves. Grinberg, the representative of a Russian magazine, Euroterm Company is the leading fruit juice and preserve “Package and packaging” in Israel. producer in Armenia which purchases fruits and vegetables On January 7-13, 2008, the Armenian delegation, from roughly 500 farmers. The company informed CARD including CARD senior marketing specialist Karen about the first shipment to Toronto, Canada as a result of Harutyunyan, seven specialists representing the CARD presenting the company’s products at the Ethnic and Armenian packaging industry as well as fruit and Specialty Food Expo in Toronto, Ontario. This shipment could vegetable growers, have been sent earlier, but Canadian legislation had a specific visited several companies requirement for preserve language and label size for the located in different parts preserves resulting in a product modification delay. of the country involved The first 20-foot container of the products was shipped to in packaging of fresh Canada in March 2007, preserve to fruit juice ratio constituted fruits and vegetables. 7/3, and in December 2007 another container of the product Participants also visited with 6/4 preserve to juice ratio was sent to Canada. Artisan the XVII International Food Inc., established by an immigrant family from Armenia, Exhibition of Agribusiness, Technology & Fresh imports the shipments from Armenia. Samvel Shahbazyan, the produce Agromashov 2008. The Export Institute also managing director of the company, previously worked for a organized a short training on international standards of USDA MAP project and later for a DAI SME project in packaging for fresh fruits and vegetables at their Armenia. His wife, Lilit Hakobyan, the director of Artisan premises. Food, worked in Tufenkian Heritage Hotels before joining the The visit was very productive in terms of capacity company. building of Armenian specialists in fresh fruit and vegetable packaging and logistics.

CARD #74 Teryan Str., Yerevan 0009, Armenia Tel. (374 10) 54-57-11, 54-57-12, 54-57-13, 52-52-34, 54-00-16; Fax: (374 10) 58-79-28; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: www.card.am ARID Goat Breeding Center: As a result of the trainings, 36 goat farmers, 16 farm Moving Towards Sustainability employees, four animal breeders, three

veterinarians, 72 Youth The ARID Goat Breeding Center is located in Vayots Dzor marz, Club members, three that is in Southeastern part of Armenia. USDA MAP representatives of launched the Goat Industry Development Project in 1999 for Armenian State Agrarian assisting Armenian agriculture in developing independent and University Extension economically viable dairy goat production. As of 2005, the GIDP Department and other project was transferred to the newly established Center for interested parties gained appropriate knowledge and Agribusiness and Rural Development (CARD). experience in this field.

During 2007, ARID Goat Breeding Center has implemented dairy goat industry development activities in goat farms operating in 17 CHEESE FONDUE communities: Yeghegnadzor, , In many parts of the world cheese is viewed as an Salli, Hors, , appetizer or side dish or something to be sprinkled on the main dish. It's a complement for many , Hermon, main courses as well aside courses. But in some , Khachik, Rind, parts of the world cheese is considered the main , , focus. Many cultures prepare it so that it can be , , their main meal for a number of days. One such Meghrashen, Lchashen, Gavar in three regions: Vayots Dzor, dish is now becoming Gegharkunik, Shirak. popular the world over. On the whole, the number of beneficiaries involved in the I'm talking about cheese project is more than 234, including 82 members of seven fondue and the unusual youth clubs and 107 goat farmers. Due to the technical but clever history behind assistance provided by ARID Center, job opportunities have the same. been created for approximately 45 people in the farms and Believe it or not, cheese eight processing units cooperating with the Center. fondue came about as a Since 2006, in order to organize efficient operation of the method of survival in the bitterly cold Swiss Alps. ARID Center, goats have been taken to the summer pastures. Here one could not find food easily and natives of Milking of goats in the this region had to improvise. So they took all their pasture season is being dairy products and stuck it in one big pot cooking carried out on a portable under a low heat. This transformed everything milking parlor with all the into a smooth goo to which they could add veterinary-sanitary seasonings and herbs and even some wine. The conditions required for resulting concoction was a satisfying and filling production and storage of cheese fondue. high quality goat milk. Nowadays, cheese fondue is prepared with garlic cloves, corn starch, crusted bread, brandy and Currently the ARID Goat white wine together with a hard or semi-hard Breeding Center hosts 120 head of purebred goats, 27 of cheese, often Gruyere or Vacherin cheese, to come which are mother goats. up with a truly remarkable and unique flavor. You During the implementation of “Dairy Goat Industry may find this kind of fondue under the category of Development and Genetic Improvement ” project, as a result soups in most fine dining restaurants in the metro. of consi stent procedures followed by ARID Ce nter t he Throughout history fondue has been a food enjoyed average milk yield of mother goats in ARID and other goat only by the upper class. However in modern times farms ha s been as follows: it is been made available to the masses and instant Purebred /imported from the U.S./ 650 l fondues were made available in 1950s but didn't Crossbred /second generation/ 412 l take off until the microwave oven came on the Crossbred /first generation/ 320 l scene. Nowadays, there are even fancy fondue Local goats 140 l cookers and many people make a party out of Provision of consulting services is considered to be the key serving fondue. component of ARID Center activities. Consequently, the On the next issue of Gourmet Corner we will talk a organization of visits, practical courses and seminars are the little about one of Italy’s greatest cheeses, most important project components. gorgonzola cheese.

CARD #74 Teryan Str., Yerevan 0009, Armenia Tel. (374 10) 54-57-11, 54-57-12, 54-57-13, 52-52-34, 54-00-16; Fax: (374 10) 58-79-28; E-mail: [email protected]; Website: www.card.am