28 Jun 2017
Pig Genetic Center Opened in Nor Gyugh Community
CARD Foundation has established a Pig Genetic Center within the frames of “Animal Health Management in Armenia and Georgia, Phase II” program financed by Austrian Development Agency (ADA),
The Official Opening Ceremony of the Center was attended by the RA Minister of Agriculture Mr. Ignati Arakelyan, US AID Mission to Armenia director Ms. Deborah Grieser, ADA Yerevan Office deputy head Mrs. Nora Alanakyan, General Manager of Topigs Norsvin Hellas Mr. George Nicolaou, director of the “Multi-Agro” Ltd Mrs. Roza Tsarukyan, as well as representatives from Kotayk marz Governor’s Office, Agriculture Development Foundation, Small and Medium Entrepreneurship Development National Center and CARD Foundation.
The Center is targeted towards the development of the swine-breeding sector and will contribute to the improvement of pig genetics. The import of Topigs Norsvin pure-breed pedigree animals and the production of genetic material with the use of up-to-date technologies will promote the increase in farmers’ income. Through the improvement of pig genetics, the Pig Genetic Center will contribute to the pig productivity increase, pork taste improvement, and will suffice the demand of high-quality pork in the market. The specialized Center will provide consultations, organize trainings led by local and foreign experts.
The Center will extend its operations throughout the whole territory of Armenia, providing high quality Topigs Norsvin boar semen to farmers, more than 45 private veterinarians and more than 15 Farm and Veterinary Service Centers. In the future, the Center plans to extend the range of its services also in neighboring Georgia.
“It’s been 5 years already since the Austrian Development Agency initiated projects to assist Armenia and the agricultural sector in particular. This is already the third Center established within the frames of the cooperation with CARD Foundation, and I hope it will promote the application of innovative technologies in the sphere of agriculture, fostering the cooperation with not only Armenian but Georgian colleagues as well. I am also glad to note that as part of the priorities of the Austrian government, the application of the solar energy will soon be part of the Center’s operation”, ADA Yerevan Office deputy head Ms. Nora Alanakyan mentioned in her speech.