02 Nov 2017
Minister visits Darakert Service Center
RA Minister of Agriculture Mr. Ignati Arakelyan paid a visit to the Greenhouse Service Center functioning in Darakert community of Ararat marz and founded by CARD Foundation in 2014.
Specialized in the greenhouse and horticulture sectors, the center aims to help the farmers who need help and access to trainings, extension services, specialized expertise as well as access to inputs and finance. The Center is equipped with up-to-date laser laboratory equipment for the implementation of advanced soil, water and plant analyses. Three different greenhouses from Israel and Italy have been established for the demonstration of advanced greenhouse management techniques, as well as new cultivation tools, equipment and supplies. The demonstration greenhouses are used for trials of new vegetable seed varieties, technologies, and innovations in the industry.
The Minister’s visit aimed at the introduction to the Center activities, up-to-date methods and new technologies applied in the greenhouse management sector, as well as familiarization with the priority issues the community farmers face. Mr. Arakelyan mentioned that there are a lot of small and medium farms in the Ararat valley that can envision the establishment of greenhouses in their development prospects.
During the meeting with the leading farmers of the community, Mr Arakelyan expressed his willingness to support them in their future initiatives. The raised issues like the establishment of corresponding infrastructures , including cold-storage facilities, collection centers, etc. will be considered for the further vision of the Ministry.