Laying the groundwork for reinvigorated apricot production in Armenia was the objective of a two-year FAO project that came to a formal close today – marked by a ceremony that celebrated substantial and visible achievements.

Where apricots originated may be the subject of debate among historians, but no one would disagree that apricots lie close to Armenia’s national soul. The scientific name is Prunus armeniaca, coined by Europeans when merchants first brought the juicy yellow fruit from Armenia.

After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, land area in Armenia dedicated to apricot and other fruit trees declined rapidly. Apricot production was unprofitable, so rural people cut down their trees and planted wheat and other crops on the cleared land.

In parallel, apricot genetic diversity also declined. Armenia was losing its original varieties, and the genetic material needed to breed high-yielding new varieties fit for changing growing conditions. In 2013, the Ministry of Agriculture turned to FAO for technical assistance.

Over the two years that followed, the project meticulously collected samples of all known apricot varieties in Armenia. These were catalogued, planted and carefully tended in a state-of-the art “collection orchard” near Echmiadzin.

To further increase the bank of available genetic material for breeding, other apricot varieties were brought from western Europe – easy-to-harvest dwarf varieties, self-pollinating varieties, and others. All told, the apricot collection orchard at Echmiadzin today holds 84 different varieties.

“It’s like a library for everyone,” said Avetik Nersisyan, FAO crop production and plant protection officer who has overseen the project from the beginning. “The collection orchard will be open to all scientists, researchers and producers.”

The project also provided Armenian farmers and extension staff with training in the latest methods for apricot production. For this purpose, a special training orchard was established next to the collection orchard. Knowledgeable personnel provide hands-on training in the use of drip irrigation, pheromone traps for apricot pests, anti-hail netting, winter and summer pruning and other techniques.

Demonstration orchards, located on the farms of selected beneficiary families, were established in three different climatic zones. These families in turn host visits from other farmers who want to learn about new techniques and alternative varieties.

“I cannot overstate the importance of this project and what it has achieved,” said Deputy Minister of Agriculture Garnik Petrosyan at today’s ceremony. “With the genetic material now available, and with the upgrading of our technical skills and knowledge real opportunities have arisen for the Armenian apricot production to reach a stronger and more sustainable position.”

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