On 7 March, the award ceremony of the “Female Hero of Agricultural Product” prize, initiated by the Agricultural Alliance of Armenia and the RA Ministry of Agriculture took place.
This year the award ceremony was titled “Established Cooperative, developing Agriculture” and aimed to encourage women who are active in the agricultural sector and have succeeded in Armenia.
The event was organized in the framework of the “Participatory Policies – Sustainable Agriculture” project implemented by the Armenian Agricultural Alliance, within the scope of sub-grant provided in the scope of the EU-funded “Commitment to Constructive Dialogue” Project.
The event was hosted by the Armenian National Agrarian University. Mr. Vardan Urutyan, Rector of the University, highlighted the role of women in the development of agriculture. “Today, women are equally working with men, but they are more enthusiastic and devoted, and they create good things for their children and the children of other people.”
Ms Margarita Hakobyan, Managing Director of the OxYGen Foundation, noted that it has become a tradition and the award ceremony of “Female Hero of Agricultural Product” prize has been traditionally celebrated for already 7 years. “Today we encourage women who are active and successful in agricultural cooperatives in Armenia.”
Mr. Garnik Petrosyan, the RA Deputy Minister of Agriculture, noted the importance of the initiative, and said that it has a mission to spread information on the achievements of women in the field and to make them visible to others. “One of the problems of the sphere today is the fragmentation of the plots and I believe more importance should be provided to the development of cooperation. The ministry plans to introduce new approaches and programs that will boost the development of co-operative.”
Mr. Karen Zadoyan, “Commitment to Constructive Dialogue” Project manager, President of the Armenian Lawyers Association, highlighted the women’s role in the development and monitoring of public policies, and noted that thanks to the Alliance today the women’s voice is being heard.
“Public policies and laws should be human-centered and should reflect citizens’ desires and expectations. If not, then naturally, they cannot be useful,” Karen Zadoyan said.
Then Ms Anahit Navasardyan, Projects Coordinator of “Shen” Charitable NGO, talked about the prospects and challenges facing the development of agricultural cooperatives.
11 women from Lori, Vayots Dzor, Gegharkunik, Tavush, Aragatsotn, Kotayk marzes were awarded the “Female Hero of Agricultural Product” prize
Alvard Davoyan, Vardablur community of Lori Marz
Anush Hakobyan, Gom community of Vayots Dzor Marz
Gayane Kharatyan, Sevkar community of Tavush Marz
Gohar Movsisyan, Teghenik community of Kotayk Marz
Heghine Kirakosyan,:Arayi village of Aragatsotn Marz
Jemma Khanzadyan, Tsovagyugh community of Gegharkunik Marz
Larisa Amirkhanyan , Gosh community of Tavush Marz
Marine Harutyunyan, Kurtan community of Lori Marz
Tsovik Ohanyan, Byurakan community of Aragatsotn Marz
Raisa Khachatryan, Solak community of Kotayk Marz
Nune Sarukhanyan, “Green Lane” NGO
