Experts Discussing Promotion Of Female Farmers’ Activities In Armeni

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-