Practical workshops on advanced techniques of fruit tree pruning and training were conducted in three marzes of Armenia within the framework of the ENPARD ‘Technical Assistance to the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Armenia’ component on 30 March – 1 April, 2016. The workshops were aimed at spreading the best agricultural practices in Armenia. They have been delivered by international experts: Davide Neri, Doctor of Agricultural Plant Science and Giorgio Murri, farmer. Considering the variety of fruit trees, widely grown in Armenia, the experts have highlighted the peculiarities of pruning and training of apple, cherry, peach, nectarine and other fruit trees during the workshop sessions. Garnik Petrosyan, RoA Deputy Minister of Agriculture, John Barker, the International Aid/Cooperation Officer of the EU Delegation to Armenia, representatives of Marz agricultural support centers, Armenian National Agrarian University, scientific centers and farmers from various marzes of Armenia participated in the first workshop. 'RA Ministry of Agriculture highlights the importance of establishing orchards with new and modern technologies. Generally, the fruit tree pruning and training is a very important agricultural activity, and the intensive orchards require new practices of pruning, that's why the experience and knowledge of international specialists is very important', mentions Garnik Petrosyan, Deputy Minister of Agriculture.

'Today's activity is an important part of EU support to Armenian agriculture through the ENPARD programme. Sharing of best practices in pruning has the potential to help fruit farmers increase both their yields and their profits, which is in everybody's interests,” mentions John Barker, the International Aid/Cooperation Officer of the EU Delegation to Armenia. Along with the demonstration of the correct pruning techniques, the participants are introduced to other advanced agricultural technologies. In particular, they visited a modern apple orchard with drip irrigation system and anti-hail nets, installed in Alapars community of Kotayq marz.