Aragatsavan, Aragatsotn – The Center for Agribusiness and Rural Development (CARD) Foundation has established a Farm Service Center in the Aragatsavan community in Aragatsotn province, within the framework of the USAID-funded Partnerships for Rural Prosperity (PRP) program. The specialized center will focus on the development of the veterinary and animal husbandry sector in Armenia and will promote advanced techniques and practices in farm business development.

The official launch ceremony of the Farm Service Center (FSC) was held on April 25 with the participation of the head of USAID Armenia Karen Hilliard, Armenia’s Minister of Agriculture Sergo Karapetyan, Minister of Economy Artsvik Minasyan, First Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration and Emergency Situations Vaché Terteryan, Governor of Aragatsotn Marz Gabriel Gyozalyan, and CEO of Small and Medium Enterprise Development National Center of Armenia Levon Mnatsakanyan.  Representatives of USAID, CARD, the Small and Medium Enterprise Development National Center of Armenia, which implements the PRP program, and community members were also in attendance.

In her remarks, Dr. Hilliard highlighted the long-standing collaboration between the United States and Armenia in agriculture. “With 40 percent of Armenia’s population living in rural areas, where employment opportunities are primarily in the agriculture sector, we work with Armenian partners to promote rural entrepreneurship, facilitate trade and better access to markets, and help the rural entrepreneurs foster local partnerships for sustainable results. Our shared goal is that the rural population has the incentives to stay and work in their own communities, and in so doing – contribute to local development,” she said.

The new center in Aragatsavan will provide a package of services to local farmers and link them with international companies that provide supplies, equipment, and information on new technologies for veterinary and animal husbandry. The center will offer up-to-date equipment and tools for artificial insemination and veterinary services, and will facilitate market linkages and access to finance for Armenian farmers and rural small and medium size enterprises.

The FSC will host workshops and training programs by Armenian and foreign experts for more than 2,000 local farmers from 7 communities in Aragatsotn. The center will also serve as a venue for hands-on seminars for the students of the Armenian National Agrarian University. 

The new center in Aragatsavan is the fifth FSC established through the USAID-funded PRP and DPESSA rural development projects. The first four centers opened in 2015 in Armavir, Ararat and Gegarkunik marzes, now serving about 8,000 farmers from more than 60 communities.

Within the framework of the PRP program, USAID will fund the establishment of another Farm Service Center in Kotayq, which also will be specialized in the provision of veterinary services.