PROMOTING BETTER FARMING PRACTICES THROUGH CONSERVATION AGRICULTURE

The Armenian Minister of Economy. Nerces Yeritzyan, joined by the newly appointed Minister of Agriculture, Gerasim Alaverdyan, made a special working visit to the Armenian Technology Group Foundation (ATG) operations headquarters in Armavir Region.

Governor of Armavir Marz, Ashot Ghahramanyan, and Ishkhan Karapetyan, Executive Director for the Small and Medium Entrepreneurship Development National Center (SME-DNC) of Armenia, also participated in the field trip.

The purpose of their visit was to observe and familiarize themselves with ATG's latest development project -- conservation agriculture -- and its long term benefits for the country.

The ministers, accompanied by their senior staff members, visited the ATG warehouses to learn about the new no-till farming equipment and methodology that ATG has introduced to Armenian farmers. The no-till system is widely used in countries around the world at the forefront of agriculture, including the USA, Canada, Argentina, and Brazil, where more than 95 million hectares of land are being cultivated annually with this conservation technology.

Conservation farming technology provides two major sustainable benefits to the country: it allows farmers to save money and resources; and, it enhances the quality of the farmland and increases its productivity.

Agriculture is a challenging and difficult occupation, especially in Armenia, where farmers use outdated farm equipment that is both inefficient and expensive to operate.

Based on 20 years of working experience in the agricultural sector of Armenia along with its vast network of farmer-cooperatives, ATG's focus for the immediate future is to transfer knowledge and technology to farmers by conducting educational seminars and field demonstrations, thus encouraging them to adopt conservation farming technology and helping them lower their operating costs.

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The Armenian Technology Group (ATG) is dedicated to helping guide the Republic of Armenia toward food and agricultural self-sufficiency. Based in the agricultural heartland of California, ATG is a 501(c)3 private, non-profit organization that has brought together the expertise of farmers, agronomists, veterinarians, and other professionals to enable Armenia to meet the challenges of independence.

Central to ATG's mission is the belief that a strong private farming sector is the foundation for building a healthy free-market economy in Armenia. ATG's advisers and technicians work hand-in-hand with the new class of private farmers that has emerged since the republic's sweeping reform of the Soviet collective system.

In cooperation with Armenia's Ministry of Food and Agriculture, ATG has focused on providing Armenian farmers with the benefits of American agricultural techniques and innovations. At the same time, the organization has begun a grass-roots campaign in the republic to cultivate the business and management skills necessary for success in modern agriculture.

Since its foundation in 1989, ATG has sought to address both Armenia's immediate needs and lay the groundwork for long-term progress. ATG has delivered more than $50 million in goods and services to the people of Armenia. The sum includes about $10 million in contributions from U.S. government agencies, as well as wide-ranging support from private groups and individuals.