Project Detail

AgriBerd: application of innovative solutions for promoting high-value crops cultivation in the context of agritourism development

The project aims to promote cultivation of high-value crops (blueberry, barberry, raspberry, currant, blackberry) through application of innovative solutions in the context of agritourism development.

As a result of a double crisis in the country, several agroecological issues relating to biodiversity conservation and food security became particularly challenging, as for rural and bordering communities the land cultivation is the main source of income.
The innovative component of the project is the application of new cultivation methods of high-quality berry species, especially blueberries, implemented by the local women of Berd community, in the context of agro-tourism development, in particular:
? Application of bio-reactor greenhouses in small communities with split lands, extending the seasonality of blueberry harvest and ensuring 80% water saving due to the introduced water saving technology;
? Healthy food provision, through application of organic fertilizers and integrated pest control measures, excluding the use of pesticides;
? Available and accessible local platform for practicing/learning the use of new agrotechnology for students, expert groups and local farmers;
? Promotion of high-value crops, as a profitable and perspective opportunity in Berd community within the agro-tourism development initiative.

Project Snapshot

Grantee:

Berd Women's Resource Center Foundation

Country:

Armenia

Area Of Work:

Biodiversity

Operational Phase:

OP7 ?Y2 (Jul 21-Jun 22)

Grant Amount:

US$ 50,000.00

Co-Financing Cash:

US$ 6,840.00

Co-Financing in-Kind:

US$ 4,715.00

Project Number:

ARM/SGP/OP7/Y2/CORE/BD/21/06

Start Date:

8/2021

End Date:

7/2023

Status:

Satisfactorily Completed

Project Characteristics and Results

Planning non gef grant

As the project aims to promote agritourism in Berd district, BWRC will continue investing in the development of tourism-related infrastructures and organizations. In particular, for expanding the network of local B&B services in Berd community, including a unique agritourism services offered by Bears&Berries, BWRC has applied to GIZ for possible funding.

Gender Focus

As women's support organization, BWRC NGO has always prioritized local women and girls, in terms of their vulnerability context, based on the survey results conducted with the different focus-groups o (unequal educational and employment opportunities, domestic violence indicators, the lack of self-expression possibilities, unequal family responsibilities). The focus of the "AgriBerd" project is supporting local women by providing the necessary skills and opportunities for their involvement in local agriculture, agritourism and economic development.

Significant Participation of Indigenous Peoples

N/A

Linkages gef projects

N/A

Planning gef grant

N/A

Policy Impact

N/A

Capacity - Building Component

The feasibility of the project is based on the experience of Berd Women's Resource Center for the past years, and the results of the research, conducted among the local women of Berd. As a result of the implemented and still ongoing projects of Berd Bears (launched in 2012, https://www.facebook.com/BerdBears ) and Berd Berries (launched in 2018, SGP funded, https://www.facebook.com/berdberry), 60 families were included in the production of handmade bears/toys and berry jams/dried tea. Since 2019, the BWRC was mainly focused on agritourism development, combining the production components with agroecological services, establishing the Eco center of "Bears&Berries". (https://www.facebook.com/bearsandberriesecocenter ). At the current stage, the capacity needs mainly relate to the application of innovative solutions for effective cultivation of high-value crops and the formation of the local experience-sharing, educational-mentoring platform which is designed in the frame of the "AgriBerd" project. Thus, along with former beneficiaries, a new group of 120 local women/girls will be trained, empowered and partly employed in berry cultivation and agritourism development, which is the main asset of the project.

Inovative Financial Mechanisms

The knowledge management of the project is based on the educational component developed within the project, including practical trainings, experience exchange among beneficiary women/girls and local farmers, etc. The innovative Hub established by the project will actually serve as a local platform for developing agricultural skills and applying innovative technology, as well as demonstrating bioreactor blueberry greenhouse. Through broadcasting the videos of "AgriBerd Presents!", different experts, farmers will share their experiences, as well as their talk about challenges and achievements.

Replication of project activities

The project activities have a great potential for replication, as the issues addressed are similar throughout different communities of Armenia. Upon testing of the innovative bioreactor technology, results will be shared with key stakeholders are partners for possible replication and scale-up.

Notable Community Participation

The project aims to support local women, especially young and unemployed, providing on-jobs training on agro-ecological, economic development/social entrepreneurship topics and mentorship opportunities through establishment of an innovative Hub and their direct involvement in the berry production. The involvement of youth is ensured through agro-camps, as well as their active participation in the Hub's experiments.

Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods

The project is implemented by the "Bears & Berries" eco-center, established by the Berd Women's Resource Center, being the first multifunctional building and oriented on agriculture and tourism development in Berd community. It is a pure model of social entrepreneurship, combining the local, high-quality production of berries with the knowledge/skills and social impact, with its vision and activities/job creation for local women, dissemination of green practices, increasing the social value and more recognition of Berd community. The "AgriBerd" initiative, with its experimental components, involves local youth in its activities throughout environmental and agro-tourism-oriented camps and trainings conducted annually. As a successful social enterprise, the eco-center allocates funds to support beneficiary women with health checks and consultations ("Healthy Women, Strong Border"). Within the framework of the "AgriBerd" it is planned to maintain and develop the community brand of local blueberry, as well as launch a range of agro-tourism services/berry cultivation, harvest and sale, food tasting events, with direct participation of local women, which will contribute to the recognition and economic development of Berd community.

Project sustainability

The project sustainability is based on the complex measures that include environmental, social and economic components. Cultivation of high-value crops will contribute to conservation of these species and reduce the volumes of wild-harvest. The high demand for blueberries all year round will ensure sustainable income for the Hub and local women involved. The newly established "Bears & Berries" eco-center, which is based on experimentation of new methods and skills, will involve more local women, as there is a growing interest in the new cultivation methods. The ecotourism-related services, such as berry harvesting, overnight staying and tours to berry fields, will create income opportunities both for beneficiary families selected within the project and for the "Bears & Berries" eco-center, as a coordinating local hub.

Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment

The project's communication strategy is a part of the project?s Marketing plan, which will ensure transparency and public awareness of the project through using online tools, such as social networking through the Facebook, Instagram pages of Berd & Berries eco-center https://www.facebook.com/bearsandberriesecocenter, as well as the new website, where all the project activities will be highlighted, including meetings, trainings, online events, broadcasting of video series titled "AgriBerd Presents!", online mapping of the berry fields, online surveys and result's publication. It is also planned to conduct offline awareness-raising activities, such as on-jobs training for the beneficiaries on innovative agro-ecological practices, meetings with the partners/stakeholders, etc.

Policy Influence

he project aims to attract the attention of the local government on high-value crop cultivation as a profitable and tested opportunity for Berd community, as a part of economic development strategy as well as to the potential, leadership and role of local women in their community development programs. It is envisaged to influence local government policy making through involvement in meetings with the stakeholders/partners, as well as by providing inputs for policy development based on the results of the research conducted within the project and agritourism development package.

Project Results

The project will produce the following results:
1. Innovative cultivation center/1000sq/m including blueberry bio reactive greenhouse established;
2. 120 local women and girls trained in berry cultivation, social entrepreneurship and agritourism development, 50 women directly involved in berry cultivation/marketing and agro-tourism service management;
3. 8 video streams under "AgriBerd Presents!" title focusing on local women farmers, their experience, challenges and achievements, plans and perspectives broadcast online;
4. 3 new methods in berry cultivation applied;
5. Livelihood of 22 households in Berd improved with annual income of about $10,000.

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Indicators

Biophysical

Number of innovations or new technologies developed/applied 1

Empowerment

Number of women participated / involved in SGP project 120

Livehood

Total monetary value (US dollars) of ecosystem goods sustainably produced and providing benefit to project participants and/or community as a whole (in the biodiversity, international waters, and land degradation focal areas as appropriate) 10000

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