FAO, in partnership with RA Ministry of Agriculture organized a round-table discussion on the progress, achieved within the framework of the ‘Grape Genetic Resources Conservation and Sustainable Use in Armenia’ project. Ashot Harutyunyan, the Head of Plant Growing and Plant Protection department of RA Ministry of Agriculture and Avetik Nersisyan, the FAO Agricultural Officer (REU) welcomed the participants of the discussion, who represented Agricultural Marz Support Centers, Armenian National Agrarian University and scientific centers, as well as agricultural experts and farmers engaged in grape production.

Gagik Melyan, FAO national consultant presented the activities, implemented since the start of the project, in particular grape identification works carried out in all grape producing regions of Armenia, establishment of the demonstration vineyard in Armavir region (Scientific Center of Agriculture of Ministry of Agriculture) with the technical variety of Kangun (0.5 ha) and table variety of Vardagyun Yerevani (Karmir qishmish -0.5 ha) and collection of planting materials for the collection vineyard to be established in autumn 2016. So far about 285 varieties, 16 of which are wild and wildened forms and their clones, 10-imported varieties as well as selected or not yet described varieties are identified and planted in nurseries. Derenik Safaryan, the leading scientist from Scientific Center of viticulture, fruit growing and wine making, made a presentation on inheritance of grape varieties of Armenia. Avetiq Nersisyan, the FAO Agricultural Officer (REU) presented the activities current issues and delays related to the Project implementation. The participants emphasized the importance of sustainability of the Project activities, in particular appropriate establishment and further maintenance of the vineyards, and agreed to create a scientific council, comprising of experts of this field. The council will oversee the project activities and will carry out certain activities to ensure the sustainability of the project and promoting and advocating the importance of the grape genetic resources conservation and sustainable use at different levels.

The project will contribute to the sustainable development of agriculture in the country through establishing the basis for the improvement and modernization of the grape production sector with possible future significant output to food security, employment opportunities and income generation. The main outcome of the project will be an availability and proper management of genetic resources for a solid grape industry.