Mandate/Overview
Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) is mandated to raise levels of nutrition, improve agricultural productivity, better the lives of rural populations and contribute to the growth of the world economy. Serving both developed and developing countries, FAO acts as a neutral forum where all nations meet as equals to negotiate agreements and debate policy. The organization helps developing countries and countries in transition to modernize and improve agriculture, forestry and fisheries practices and ensure good nutrition for all.
Today, FAO with its 190 member states, plus one member organisation (European Community) is one of the largest specialized agencies in the United Nations system and the lead agency for agriculture, forestry, fisheries and rural development focusing its activities to four main areas: 1) putting information within reach; 2) sharing policy expertise; 3) providing a meeting place for nations; 4) bringing knowledge to the field.
Since becoming a FAO Member on 8 November 1993 and establishing a representation office in Armenia in 2004, the Armenian Government has received FAO’s support in implementing various development and emergency projects aiming at increasing agricultural productivity and the level of food security in the country.
Current Projects
National: Technical Cooperation Programmes
Support to the Preparation and Implementation of Land Consolidation and Improved Land Management Schemes (TCP/ARM/3004(A)
The privatization of urban and rural land left Armenia with fragmented land, which obstruct spatial and territorial planning especially in terms of land administration and land use planning and management. The FAO TCP assistance implemented by State Committee of the Real Property Cadaster of the Republic of Armenia aims to develop the necessary legal, organizational, institutional, technical and managerial framework for land consolidation and improved land management schemes. The project would contribute to a viable and sustainable agricultural structure and strengthen the rural and regional development in Armenia. The project will produce a strategy for land consolidation and improved land management scheme, demonstrate through one pilot area the economic, social and ecologic viability of new methods and technologies for local development planning with land consolidation component, and train land owners, farmers, rural entrepreneurs and representatives of local institutions in participatory territorial management, land consolidation and farm management. The project results would serve as a model for local and national decision and policy makers in the further development and implementation of land management practices.
Regional: Food Safety Capacity Building
(TCP/RER/3003) (September 2005-2007)
The overall objective of the project is to contribute to food security and support the economic development of the rural communities in both countries (Armenia and Georgia) by improving the performance of the national food control programmes. The immediate objectives are to strengthen the priority components for strategic planning and coordination of food control activities, promote the harmonization of food standards, strengthen inspection programmes and laboratory networks, and establish quality assurance programmes in the agro-processing sectors.
Legal Assistance to in situ Conservation of Crop Wild Relatives (CWRs) (TCP/RER/2906) (March 2005-2007)
This project is being implemented in Armenia, Bolivia, Madagascar, Sri Lanka and Uzbekistan with the objective of assisting these governments in the development of appropriate legal frameworks for the protection of their plant genetic resources, with particular emphasis on conservation and utilization of CWRs, and to ensure that these legal frameworks are suitable for the sustainable conservation of the biological diversity of the countries and consistent with new international agreements.
EC-FAO Food Security Information for Action Programme (GCP/INT/952/EC)
The Programme aims at enhancing national capacity to generate, manage, and use food security information from different sectors for more effective policies and programmes. In Armenia, the EC-FAO Programme aims to improve national capacity to generate, manage, analyze and disseminate food security information. Specific activities include:
- Improve access and quality of information by installing the GIEWS Workstation, CountrySTAT and Agrometshell. These tools will also help standardize core datasets and databases to make them compatible with national and international information systems.
- Provide technical assistance for the preparation of the Agricultural Census.
- Conduct training in the analysis of the Household Budget Survey. Technical assistance in determining the Dietary Energy Supplies of traditional Armenian food will be provided.
Programme website: www.foodsecinfoaction.org
Emergency assistance for early detection and prevention of avian influenza in the Eastern Europe and Caucasus regions (TCP/RER/3004)
The primary objective of the proposed project is to strengthen the capacity for generating and sharing HPAI disease intelligence and using this to mount emergency preparedness planning against the eventuality of HPAI being introduced into the region, specifically in relation to migration of and trade in wild birds.
To accomplish this objective, secondary objectives will entail: (a) generating an understanding of migratory bird movement into and within the region and the potential for their contact with domestic poultry, (b) building public awareness of the issues relating to the risks, (c) strengthening HPAI field surveillance and laboratory support for diagnosis, (d) establishing information and technology network linkages with other regions (GLEWS and OFFLU) in the global system for HPAI surveillance.
FAO multi-donor AI project (OSRO/GLO/504/MUL)
The main objective of this project is to strengthen the capacities of the Caucasus countries in early detection and eradication of AI. Main activities of the project include:
- In collaboration with the government veterinary and poultry production staff, plan and undertake surveillance for AI in poultry;
- Assist field staff at zonal and district level in improving disease surveillance and reporting procedures;
- Plan, conduct and participate in in-country workshops for TAD surveillance;
- Liaise closely with the International Project Coordinator at FAO headquarters, AGAH;
- Work closely and interact with other organizations such as WHO, USAID, OIE, UNICEF, etc.
Emergency Assistance for Prevention, Detection and Control of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Armenia
Programme description
Co-ordination of FMD surveillance and control in the Transcaucasian countries and strengthening of emergency management capacity (MTF/INT/003/EEC)
This three year programme aims to re-inforce regional bio-security, especially at the borders between the TransCaucasus and Turkey and Iran, and to reduce risk of TADS entry to result in high impact at national and regional level on livestock health, including spread to third countries.
The main elements of the programme implementation include: 1) support to maintain the FMD buffer zone from autumn 2005 to spring 2007, through provision of quality assured FMD vaccine for cattle and small ruminants, containing appropriate antigens; 2) a Regional Co-ordination unit (FAO/OIE) for technical support and co-ordination, with an international expert, Russian speaking and based in Tbilisi, Georgia; 3) support to undertake surveillance programmes, including improving laboratory quality assurance and information systems and direct support for laboratory tests (diagnostic reagents, kits, training).\
Assistance to Brucellosis Control in Armenia (Phase I) FAO/Government of Italy Cooperative Programme (GSP/ARM/001/ITA)
The assistance aims to enhance family livelihoods by reducing brucellosis disease in animals and in humans in Armenia. The introduction of Brucellosis National Programme with effective control mechanisms to be developed and put in place during the first phase will greatly contribute the programme objectives which anticipate achieving a measurable reduction in brucellosis prevalence among small ruminants by the end of the phase I in 2009. This project is implemented by FAO in three priority regions selected by a nation-wide brucellosis prevalence survey results in livestock.
FAO projects in Armenia: TeleFood Projects
TeleFood projects aim at supporting disadvantaged families to improve food production through paying for tools, seeds and other essential supplies required to grow the food.
On-going TeleFood Projects in Armenia include:
- Support Provided to the Kindergarten to Improve the Children’s Food Conditions (TFD-05/ARM/001)
- Support in Poverty Reduction in Yernjatap Village and Production of Winter Wheat Seed (TFD-05/ARM/002)
- Support to Young Tavush Farmers’ Association (TFD-05/ARM/003)
- Support in Poverty Reduction in Villages and Development of Animal Breeding (TFD-05/ARM/004)
Links: List of all TeleFood projects in Armenia – http://www.fao.org/telefood/project/4
TeleFood Success Stories in Armenia - http://www.fao.org/food/english/stories/armen-e.htm
Main Projects implemented in Armenia 1993-2006:
Reorganization and Strengthening of Food Control Security Services (TCP/ARM/6611)
Forestry Sector Development (TCP/ARM/4451)
Forestry Sector Development, Phase II (TCP/ARM/5612)
Sustainable Mountain Development (TCP/ARM/2801)
Strategy for Sustainable Agricultural Development (TCP/ARM/0065)
Sustainable Management of Oak Production Forest (TCP/ARM/2802)
Emergency Supply of Winter Wheat Seed, Spring Potato Seed and Animal Feed to Drought Affected Farmers (OSRO/ARM/001/GRE)
Emergency Supply of Animal Feed to Drought Affected Farmers (OSRO/ARM/101/NET)
Emergency Distribution of Locally Produced Potato Seed to Drought-Affected Farmers (TCP/ARM/0066)
Emergency Distribution of Locally Produced Potato Seed to Drought Affected Farmers (OSRO/ARM/103/CYP)
Emergency Supply of Winter Wheat Seed to Drought-Affected Farmers (OSRO/ARM/104/FRA)
Emergency Assistance to Farmers Affected by Frost (TCP/ARM/2903)
TCP/RER/2901 - "Institutional strengthening to facilitate intra- and inter-regional agricultural trade of the Organization of Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) member states"
Sustainable Mountain Development (TCP/ARM/3001)
Strengthening of the Locust Control Capacities (TCP/ARM/3002)
Rodent Control in Armenia (TCP/ARM/3003)
Support to the Preparation and Implementation of Land Consolidation and Improved Land Management Schemes (TCP/ARM/3004)
Strengthening Transboundary Animal Disease Diagnosis, Surveillance and Control Capacities (TCP/RER/3001)
Contact
Address: Room # 124, Government bld. 3, 375010 Yerevan, Armenia
Tel: (00374 10) 52 54 53
Fax: (00374 10) 52 54 53
E-mail: FAO-AM@fao.org
Links
FAO in Armenia - http://www.fao.org/world/armenia/index.htm
FAO Global - http://www.fao.org
