Implemented SCEAD program is believed to lay a solid foundation for long-term, sustainable farming practices, strengthen agriculture cooperatives, maximize agriculture output and increase farm income.
The initiative is implemented through USDA monetization fund generated through UMCOR project.
The event will also serve for disseminating the information amongst other farmers to increase their awareness in advanced machinery application.
Within the framework of the SCEAD program handing over of high quality vineyard management equipment, 30 hay mowers/cultivators and 50 sprayers to 21 beneficiary cooperatives in 15 villages throughout Ararat, Armavir and Vayots Dzor marzes will be organized.
Under the SCEAD program CARD has imported different small machinery for demonstration use in cooperatives. Small scale, 5-7hp mobile motor-cultivator devices conduct mowing, cultivation and chemical application operations. The equipment will decrease the mowing and spraying costs and increase efficiency of production.
The small scale hay mowing machinery imported more than 20 years ago from the former Czechoslovakia is currently very old, has limited capacity to serve effectively, and there is a limited supply of spare parts and service support. Because of this situation hand work is still common in rural Armenia when farmers cultivate small plots.
Owners of small plots, orchards and greenhouses face the problem of utilizing machinery for cultivation, furrowing and harvesting hay. The existing machinery in Armenia is outdated and not suitable for small scale farming.
CARD in cooperation with UMCOR is implementing Sustainable Cooperative Extension and Agricultural Development program (SCEAD). Within the scope of the program 21 agricultural cooperatives received and continue to receive financial and technical assistance for the improvement of agricultural farming technologies and practices, as well as for the introduction of new seed varieties and planting techniques.
