On March 18, 2021, within the framework of the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (FY2020) provided by the Government of Japan to Armenia, the official ceremony of signing two assistance programs took place at the RA Ministry of Economy.

The project on “Establishing an agro-machinery training center in Sisian city” was countersigned by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of Armenia Jun Yamada and the Rector of the Armenian National Agrarian University Vardan Urutyan.

The project on “Construction of a new pump station and irrigation system in Araksavan village” was countersigned by the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of Armenia Jun Yamada and the General Director of “Eurasia” charitable non-governmental organization Liana Yesayan.

Before signing the documents, the representative of the Ministry of Economy read the introductory speech of the Deputy Minister of Economy Arman Khojoyan, in which, welcoming the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Armenia Jun Yamada and other participants of the event, the Deputy Minister first thanked the Japanese Government for the long-term partnership and continuously efficient cooperation, emphasizing that it is gratifying to state that even in the conditions of the pandemic and the global economic crisis the bilateral economic relations are developing dynamically, and there is still a great untapped potential in a number of spheres.

Arman Khojoyan considered this initiative an excellent opportunity for farming enterprises to reach a new level of development, thus registering visible results in the sector. According to Arman Khojoyan, the establishment of the Agro-machinery training center in Sisian city is aimed at developing the educational component of agricultural equipment to encourage the use of modern methods and technologies in the sector. As a result, communities will also be provided with highly qualified youths who will not only have the necessary knowledge, but also practical skills to meet the overall challenges facing modern agriculture.

The Deputy Minister also stressed the importance of the irrigation system being built in Araksavan community, for introduction of a new irrigation system in the community will facilitate the increase of the volume of agricultural products, improve the living standards of the local population, outlining the road to tomorrow’s green world.

In his speech, the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of Armenia Jun Yamada noted that the agricultural sector has a huge role in the Armenian economy and it directly affects the country’s food security. Therefore, the implementation of these projects is extremely important not only at the local but also at the national level. Ambassador Yamada also stressed that even though the two programs have different target groups, but share one common goal, which is to support sustainable regional development and improvement of people’s lives and living conditions within the framework of the concept of “human security”, which is highly valued by the Japanese government.

As a result of the project on “Establishing an agro-machinery training center in Sisian city” valued at $69,971, an agro-technical training center will be established on the land plot assigned to the Sisian branch of the Armenian National Agrarian University, at the effect of which more than 215 students annually will directly benefit from the project. The population of the surrounding communities will also benefit from the center which will provide services on repair and maintenance of agricultural machinery. The establishment of the agro-technical training center will enable farmers to apply cost-effective technologies in land use, thus reducing production costs and ensuring high yields.

The Rector of the Armenian National Agrarian University (ANAU) Vardan Urutyan noted that this Armenian-Japanese partnership is marked not only as another example of agro-technological progress on the way of ANAU’s reform, but also as another manifestation of friendship. The Rector thanked Ambassador Yamada for his efforts and congratulated the students of ANAU Sisian branch and the farmers of Sisian region on the launch of the project.

As a result of the grant project on “Construction of a new pump station and irrigation system in Araksavan village” valued at $79,401, a new pumping station and a new irrigation system will be built in Araksavan, as well as a power plant for uninterrupted operation of the pumping station and an additional 6km of the overhead line. The newly built power plant will allow to increase the capacity of the pumps, thus creating an opportunity to finally resolve the irrigation problem of the village in the coming years.

The General Director of “Eurasia” charitable non-governmental organization Liana Yesayan emphasized the vital importance of realization of new projects and opportunities in the times of the pandemic and the post-war period, adding that due to the construction of a new pumping station and irrigation system in Araksavan village the community will have socio-economic development and reduced employment rate.