Experts discussing promotion of female farmers’ activities in Armenia

YEREVAN, May 7. /ARKA/. Promotion of female farmers’ activity in Armenia’s rural areas is being discussed now in Yerevan at a two-day conference focused on agriculture problems. 

The conference is organized by Armenian Young Women’s Association as part of the Active Women in the Rural Communities of Armenia program being implemented in cooperation with the Asian Development Bank.   

“The aim of the program is to assist female farmers in Armenia’s rural communities and to strengthen their capability to develop agriculture by creating and strengthening business ties among producing, processing and financing companies,” Lilit Asatryan, chairwoman of Armenian Young Women’s Association, said in response to ARKA News Agency’s question. 

She said that the major part of agricultural work is done by women. It means they shoulder also other problems, such as irrigation water shortage.  

“Water problem is widely discussed today,” Asatryan said. “This problem strikes hard especially at Ararat Valley’s farmers.”

She said that the valley is now under threat of desertification, and this affects agriculture badly.  

The head of the Association also spoke about the problem of insurance and related risks, which should be taken into account by farmers. 

She paid special attention to the problem of sales of finished products at markets and stressed the importance of organization of agricultural fairs in Yerevan for ensuring direct supply of farmer products to the city residents. 

In her words, the Association is planning to organize a number of agricultural exhibitions in Yerevan in 2013 to promote farms. 

Representatives of rural communities and nongovernmental organizations took part in today’s discussion. 

They pointed out the necessity of enhancing farmers and agronomists’ awareness of production process optimization ways. This will enable farmers to lessen risks and build up their profits by improving qualities and enlarging quantities of their products. 

The Active Women in the Rural Communities of Armenia program includes trainings, seminars and professional consulting for women farmers from Ashtarak, Ararat, Yerevan and adjacent villages. 

The conference will continue tomorrow. -0-