Traditional knowledge for modern solutionsImplementing agroforestry in Armenia

After completing my master’s degree in sustainable agriculture, I was eager to join an international programme in this field. While pursuing my PhD, I discovered the ASA Programme and immediately applied. After gathering all required documents, attending the partner organisation’s interview, and finally receiving the acceptance call, I began preparing for the seminars and the first project phase in Germany.

Our first project phase began with visits to different sites of several agroforestry systems in the region around Kleve. Additionally, our team joined a research project on meadow orchards, a widespread traditional German agroforestry system, in which the grassland between the fruit trees serves as a grazing ground for livestock. It was our task to take measurements of trees and vegetation, which were later analyzed in the university’s lab – an experience that would prove useful later on. While getting to know agroforestry first hand, we started preparations for the second phase in Armenia, laying out the tasks and activities as well as preparing the questionnaires. The entire time we were in close contact with the university staff, who assisted in solving any problems.

Our preparations paid off and we were able to get to work as soon as we arrived in Armenia, where the NGO Shen hosted us. Shen has been working to address some of the most urgent humanitarian issues in Armenia since being founded by a group of professors and students from the Yerevan Polytechnic Institute in 1988. Some of these issues became very apparent during our second project phase, as Armenia has experienced significant socio-political and economic shocks in recent years. Operating in a turbulent and uncertain geopolitical context, the country struggles with low investment rates, weak attraction of foreign direct investment, limited human capital and connectivity constraints both within Armenia and with other countries.

During our many visits to the study area, we performed soil sampling to determine the chemical composition and made profile cuts of the soil to analyze the different horizons and the depth of the fertile layer. Based on the results of the analysis, we made recommendations for the preferred species to use in the agroforestry system. We also prepared questionnaires for separate group discussions and individual interviews, which we conducted with the community’s residents. Most interviews were conducted with farmers to understand how agriculture works in the Lernavan region and what the farmers main concerns are, regarding agroforestry. After analyzing all the research data, we developed a model for an agroforestry system that can be applied in the given area.

When looking back at my time in the ASA-Programme I think about the fun we had as a team, travelling, spending our evenings together with games, singing and dancing in both Germany and Armenia. I am grateful for the opportunity to participate in this programme. It helped me rediscover myself and overcome all my fears. The programme inspired me to prioritize the sustainable development goals and to follow them in any action, as well as providing me with tremendous theoretical and practical experience and knowledge in the field. My participation gave me the chance to live and integrate into another society for three months, working with such a great international team and having a successful project as a result. Finally, ASA has helped me to realize my initial wish: To become a specialist who now has international knowledge in the field and experience working with large team projects.