On September 5, the Agro-Machinery and Training Station was opened in the Center of Smart Agriculture Center in Sisian Branch of the Armenian National Agrarian University. The ceremony was attended by the Marzpet (Regional Governor), Robert Ghukasyan, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Armenia, H.E. Mr. Masanori Fukushima, former Marzpet, current Member of Parliament, Mr. Karen Hambardzumyan, Head of Sisian Community, Armen HGakobjanyan, farmers from the Sisian region, students and faculty members of the ANAU Sisian Branch.
The Center was built with the funding from the Embassy of Japan and will serve the purposes of developing students’ practical skills, training of the local machinery operators, and socioeconomic development of the community and the marz. The project has started in October 2021, by building a facility with 203 square m of total surface on a 1.5 hectares of land plot, equipped with machinery repair, maintenance and parking areas, storage of spare parts and office space. The Embassy has also covered the costs of agricultural equipment and tools.
In the Smart Agriculture Center, the construction works of the smart barn, one of the greenhouses and the intensive orchard are also completed. The other infrastructures are in the design and preparatory phases; this information was shared by Gagik Khachatryan, Director of the ANAU Sisian Branch who also said that the new Agro-Machinery Center will greatly help the Syunik people in the current difficult geopolitical situation. This is a novelty in the field of agrarian education not only in the marz, but also in the entire country. “This is where your abilities and skills of you and those coming after you will be formed,” said Mr. Khachatryan, addressing the students.
The welcoming speech of H.E. Mr Masanori Fukushima, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Armenia, which was in Armenian, was warm and heartfelt. On behalf of the Government of Japan, His Excellency congratulated those present on the successful completion of the project. “This is a really successful joint project implemented through the cooperation between the Japanese Embassy and the Agrarian University. We are happy to announce that in the framework of the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) a grant has been provided to the Agrarian University, which will help improve the productivity of agriculture, increase the profitability of more than 250 farmers, as well as contribute to the improvement of the quality of agricultural education in Syunik marz,” said Ambassador Fukushima.
The Marzpet of Syunik, Robert Ghukasyan said the opening of the center was a historic event for Syunik. “We all understand that the agricultural sector has a great potential of development in Armenia, but the processes do not always and not everywhere proceed at the desired pace, quality and speed. While the development of the sector is an urgent agenda, it is unimaginable to be successful without qualified specialists. However, the traditional form of farming continues creating obstacles for us, with the most important problem being the lack of professional knowledge and skills. In this regard, we cannot overestimate the importance of the project.” Marzpet Ghukasyan thanked the Embassy of Japan, personally Ambassador Fukushima, ANAU Rector Vardan Urutyan, Head of Sisian Community Armen Hakobjanyan and all supporting agencies for this historic undertaking for the region.
“Sisian Community is ready to further stand by this kind of initiatives,” said Armen Hakobjanyan, thanking the Japanese Embassy for the support. Mr Hakobjanyan himself has been supportive in making the Center of Smart Agriculture a reality.
Former Director of the ANAU Sisian Branch, Tigran Vandunts said that two years ago, when this center was still a beautiful idea, it was difficult to imagine that it will become a reality. Thanks to a number of individuals and organizations, the Smart Agriculture Center is becoming a beautiful reality now, he said. Mr. Vandunts congratulated the students who have now an excellent opportunity to strengthen their professional knowledge with practical skills.
ANAU Rector, Vardan Urutyan warmly congratulated the attendees, especially the students of the Sisian Branch and mentioned in particular, “Agro-machinery station is the first infrastructure that gave a start to the creation of Center of Smart Agriculture. While establishing the center, we went through a very difficult path – covid, war, and some technical difficulties. Today, we are opening this important teaching and training center, which will definitely have its role and significance in the overall context of agricultural development in the region. It’s true that we are going through very difficult times, but we will persistently move forward, develop agriculture, and strengthen our county. It is with such projects that we will become stronger. This is an investment in the future of Armenia. This is a place where not only students but also farmers will be trained and educated, and the innovative technologies used here will be disseminated throughout Syunik marz and beyond.”
Rector Urutyan handed over symbolic gifts and certificates of appreciation to Ambassador Fukushima, Marzpet Ghukasyan, Mayor Hakobjanyan and Rector Vandunts.
After the ribbon cutting, the participants of the event had a tour in the area and got acquainted with the equipment and opportunities of the Agro-machinery Center.