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Global Soil Partnership

RECSOIL implementation in Armenia

Project overview

Phase V – Baseline Assessment

Number of participating farmersProject area (hectares)Annual SOC sequestration potential (tCO2e)
4010052

Region (municipality): Gegharkunik and Syunik regions

Main crops: Forage crops and cereals

Soil threats addressedSSM practices implemented
  • Soil erosion
  • Soil fertility loss
  • SOC/soil organic matter loss
  • Pasture-specific combination of organic and inorganic fertilizer
  • Crop rotation with legumes
  • Planned pasture management
  • Erosion management through soil cover and live fences
  • Addition of organic inputs 

 

Number of samples takenSoil indicators analysed and standard operating procedures (SOPs) used
80 (40 sampling stations)
  • Total carbon (C): dry combustion
  • Total nitrogen (N): Kjeldahl method
  • Soil respiration: respirometer
  • Bulk density: cylinder method
  • pH: pH meter
  • Electrical conductivity (EC): conductimeter
  • Percentage carbon: calculation
  • Percentage N: calculation
  • Boron (B)
  • Sulphur (S)
  • Cation exchange capacity (CEC): sodium (Na), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K) and calcium (Ca) – atomic adsorption
  • Bases
  • Ammonium (N-NH4+): colorimeter
  • Nitrate (N-NO3-): colorimeter

Implementing institutions

  • The Armenian National Agrarian University
  • The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Representation in Armenia 

The following training sessions were conducted:

Workshop on RECSOIL Implementation was held in person in– English with Armenian translation, – 27 June 2025 – English with Armenian translation – 27 June 2025.. To introduce the project in the country, an in--person workshop was held in which participants were introduced to the project activities and data collection methodologies.

RECSOIL technical training: stratification of the project area, definition of sampling design and density was held virtually with 15 participants in English with Armenian translation, 6–11 May 2024. Participants were trained on spatial tools used in RECSOIL and the process of defining the monitoring plan.

RECSOIL Baseline Determinations was held in person with 30 participants in Armenian and English, 16 June 2025. The four technicians implementing RECSOIL Armenia met with the GSP to harmonize methods for designing a sampling plan using spatial data and analysing soil according to the RECSOIL methodology.

Representative Environments and Practices was held in person in Armenian and English, 17 June 2026. Five technicians engaged in identification of main soil threats and SSM interventions for the RECSOIL pilot project. Read the highlight here.

Soil Doctors for RECSOIL: training of leading farmers was held in person in Armenian and English with 20 participating farmers in Syunik and 12 participating farmers in Gegharkunik, 19–20 June 2025. Leading farmers were trained on how to equip neighbouring farmers with the capacity to evaluate and address the presence of soil threats. Read the highlight here.

News

Strides made towards soil recarbonization for land restoration through sustainable soil management in Armenia
25/07/2025
As droughts in Armenia escalate in intensity and duration, the country’s soils become increasingly vulnerable to erosion and degradation. In response, farmers, soil scientists, and government representatives are working together to adopt sustainable soil management (SSM) practices that promote climate change adaptation and mitigation. To advance these efforts, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nation's (FAO), through its Global Soil Partnership, is implementing a pilot project of the Recarbonization of Agricultural Soils (RECSOIL) initiative. In collaboration with FAO Armenia and the Armenian National Agrarian University (ANAU), the project aims to restore soil health, promote soil recarbonization to address land degradation and build more resilient agrifood systems.
Establishment of the Armenian Soil Information System
03/10/2019
Within the Framework of the Global Soil Information System (GLOSIS), The Global Soil Partnership is supporting countries to establish national soil information systems. From the 16 to the 18 September,...
Launch of the Armenian Soil Information System (ArmSIS)
29/01/2021
In the framework of the Global Soil Information System (GloSIS), the Armenian Soil Information System (ArmSIS) was launched on 5 December 2020 during the World Soil Day official celebration.  Access to...
Armenia is restoring soil health through agricultural recarbonization
01/07/2024
Yerevan, Armenia - June 28, 2024 – In a significant stride towards combating soil degradation and enhancing agricultural sustainability, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and...

Photo galleries

Recarbonization of Agricultural Soils (RECSOIL) in Armenia
20/06/2025

The RECSOIL initiative seeks to protect and increase the treasure beneath our feet – soil organic carbon. As a key indicator of soil health, soil carbon...