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SHAMSHADIN: KEY TO ARMENIA
Armenian News Network / Groong
July 11, 2005
by James Antranik Michaelian
AYGEPAR, Region of SHAMSHADIN, ARMENIA
From the balcony of his home, Andranik Hovakimyan pointed past a
grove of poplar trees toward the border with neighboring Azerbaijan.
"On March 15, 1994, Azeris crossed the border and advanced against our
village from two directions," he said. "After a long battle, our
villagers drove them back. As they fled, they left behind several
weapons and a tank." On the second story of his large home, broken
windows and a damaged wall bore witness to the attack. "The second
time they tried to enter Aygepar, we were ready," he continued. "They
never tried again."
After the war in Karabagh ended, life in Aygepar returned to normal.
Villagers worked in factories in Aygepar and the nearby town of
Bert. Shepherds tended their flocks, while farmers cultivated fruit
trees, vineyards, and wheat fields. "Before the war, and the Soviet
collapse, life in Shamshadin was good," Hovakimyan said. "But, as time
passed, our remote region became isolated from advances in other parts
of the country. The roads in Shamshadin deteriorated, making commerce
difficult. Farmers suffered from a lack of fresh seed, fertilizer, and
other items needed for successful harvests of wheat and other
grains. Our situation slowly became hopeless."
The effects of Shamshadin's isolation had become particularly serious
in the grain fields of Aygepar and the neighboring villages of
Paravakar, Movses, Ardzvabert, and Chinari. "Our wheat seed was far
removed from the Mother Seed, and varieties were mixing with each
other," Hovakimyan said. "People brought us seed, but the quality
wasn't good. In the end, we didn't trust anyone."
After a meeting at the office of Crop Production and Plant Cultivation
in the Ministry of Agriculture in Yerevan, the situation in Shamshadin
soon began to change. At the meeting, Gagik Mkrtchyan, executive
director of the Seed Producers' Support Association (SPSA), an
organization founded by the Fresno, California-based Armenian
Technology Group (ATG), and department head Garnik Petrosyan discussed
SPSA's work in producing and supplying high quality wheat and barley
seed to farmers in outlying areas.
After discussing the economic hardships suffered by Shamshadin
Armenians, the men agreed to concentrate new efforts to assist farmers
in the region. "After the meeting, Garnik Petrosyan called and
suggested I meet Mkrtchyan," Hovakimyan said. "He told me about the
work SPSA was doing. I was impressed with their knowledge and
professionalism. They agreed to provide us with a shipment of
Bezostaya wheat seed for our autumn planting."
--New seed shipment brings festive atmosphere--
On October 14, 2004, a truck loaded with sacks of wheat seed arrived
in Aygepar. "The truck had come all the way from Artik, in the
province of Shirak," Hovakimyan said. "From the start, I could see
that SPSA was a serious organization." Farmers from all over
Shamshadin gathered in the courtyard of Hovakimyan's home to purchase
the seed. They came by car, truck, jeep, and even on donkeys to take
their seed. "One farmer came by donkey all the way from Paravakar,
some 30 kilometers from here, and another came from Ardzvashen, a
mountain village located directly on the border," he said. Curious
passers-by added to the crowd.
As the truck was unloaded, SPSA professionals Gagik Mkrtchyan, Armen
Asatryan, and Vaghinak Kamrastyan carefully weighed every sack, making
sure each farmer received the correct amount of seed. Several sacks
were opened to check for quality. "The farmers were all amazed,"
Hovakimyan said. "Some hadn't seen seed that good in years. Right
away, those who hadn't placed orders requested seed for
themselves. Another 10 metric tons was ordered that day."
Hovakimyan and the SPSA team went to work. In Hovakimyan's yard, they
prepared a 24-square-meter plot to plant several varieties of winter
wheat and barley, to see which of the varieties would prove successful
in the unique climate of Shamshadin. In larger plots, they planted
Elite wheat and barley seed, to be able to provide farmers with high
quality first-generation seed grown in the area. "From the start, our
relationship was good," Hovakimyan said. "Up to the time of the first
snowfall, Gagik and the others came to check the progress of the
newly-planted wheat and barley. I had never seen this kind of
dedication."
--Spring brings new hope, energy to Shamshadin--
Spring 2005 blossomed in Shamshadin. Meadows, forests, and fields were
green after welcome rains soaked the area. In wheat fields, newly
sprouted leaves glistened in the bright sunlight. Walking through
vineyard rows on a hill overlooking a field of Bezostaya wheat,
Hovakimyan stopped and looked at the new canes, still wet from the
previous night's rain. "I expect a good crop this year," he
said. "After making wine, I'll sell the remainder of the harvest to
the winery in Aygepar." He walked into the wheat field with Gagik
Mkrtchyan and Vaghinak Kamrastyan, who had just arrived in the
village. "Last spring, this same field had mixed varieties, and the
harvest was very low," Hovakimyan said. "Now, the new planting of
Bezostaya looks perfect."
Hovakimyan pointed at an open, grassy field in a flat area below.
"That farmer should have already cultivated his land for the autumn
sowing," he said. "If he waits too long, the weeds will become a
problem." Kneeling, Kamrastyan pulled a stray weed. "This kind of weed
winds around the wheat plant, causing it to lie down," he said. "If
there are more, we can pull them out by hand."
After leaving the field, the men drove to another where several
varieties of wheat, including Stevens, Dadash, Bezostaya, and Findley
were planted. "The plot of Stevens looks excellent," Mkrtchyan
said. "It's a great variety. From Ararat to Lori, ATG farmers plant
Stevens. The harvests are high, and the husks are covered with strands
that protect the plant from birds." An old woman walked past the
field, towards a small vegetable patch up the hill. In the distance, a
car wound its way down a dirt road from Movses village, where farmers
also had plantings of the seed brought by SPSA. "Most of the young men
from Movses have gone to Russia to work," Hovakimyan said. "Now,
everyone there, as in all of Shamshadin, is waiting for the year's
harvest. The new wheat seed could save our area, our farmers."
Back at Hovakimyan's home, the men checked the growth of each variety
in the small experimental plot. "Most of the varieties look very
good," Mkrtchyan said. "Especially Stevens, Baldasar, a French
variety, and ATGF 35-16. Promontory has a little rust, probably
because of the damp climate here." Valodya Machkalyan, a wheat farmer
from nearby Tovuz village and a friend of Hovakimyan, joined the men
as they investigated the plot. "Almost every day, area farmers come to
see how the new varieties are growing," Hovakimyan said. His
satisfaction was evident. "Sometimes, I see cars parked along the
sides of my fields, and people checking the progress of my wheat.
"I feel I'm doing my part for Shamshadin. Our work with SPSA stands to
help our farmers tremendously. The advice they give about new
varieties and new technologies, such as non-till cultivation, could
save us money and make us competitive in the Armenian marketplace. We
appreciate everything they are doing for us. Farmers here are excited
about the coming harvest. Not one farmer is dissatisfied with the new
seed. After harvest, I expect every wheat farmer in Shamshadin to
plant SPSA seed. We all want our relationship to continue. If our
farmers have good seed, they will stay in Shamshadin. Now, word has
even reached Davit Lokyan (Minister of Agriculture) about our
wheat. He wants to come to Shamshadin and see our fields for himself.
"To me, bread is life. If we have bread, we are secure, and our life
is good."
--
James "Antranik" Michaelian is a journalist covering farming in
Armenia for The Armenian Technology Group (ATG). The ATG's
RuralArmenia News Service can be reached at [email protected].
The Armenian Technology Group, Inc. can be reached at:
1300 E. Shaw Ave, Suite 149
P.O.Box 5969
Fresno, CA 93755-5969
Tel: 559-224-1000
Fax: 559-224-1002
Email: [email protected]
Armenian News Network / Groong
July 11, 2005
by James Antranik Michaelian
AYGEPAR, Region of SHAMSHADIN, ARMENIA
From the balcony of his home, Andranik Hovakimyan pointed past a
grove of poplar trees toward the border with neighboring Azerbaijan.
"On March 15, 1994, Azeris crossed the border and advanced against our
village from two directions," he said. "After a long battle, our
villagers drove them back. As they fled, they left behind several
weapons and a tank." On the second story of his large home, broken
windows and a damaged wall bore witness to the attack. "The second
time they tried to enter Aygepar, we were ready," he continued. "They
never tried again."
After the war in Karabagh ended, life in Aygepar returned to normal.
Villagers worked in factories in Aygepar and the nearby town of
Bert. Shepherds tended their flocks, while farmers cultivated fruit
trees, vineyards, and wheat fields. "Before the war, and the Soviet
collapse, life in Shamshadin was good," Hovakimyan said. "But, as time
passed, our remote region became isolated from advances in other parts
of the country. The roads in Shamshadin deteriorated, making commerce
difficult. Farmers suffered from a lack of fresh seed, fertilizer, and
other items needed for successful harvests of wheat and other
grains. Our situation slowly became hopeless."
The effects of Shamshadin's isolation had become particularly serious
in the grain fields of Aygepar and the neighboring villages of
Paravakar, Movses, Ardzvabert, and Chinari. "Our wheat seed was far
removed from the Mother Seed, and varieties were mixing with each
other," Hovakimyan said. "People brought us seed, but the quality
wasn't good. In the end, we didn't trust anyone."
After a meeting at the office of Crop Production and Plant Cultivation
in the Ministry of Agriculture in Yerevan, the situation in Shamshadin
soon began to change. At the meeting, Gagik Mkrtchyan, executive
director of the Seed Producers' Support Association (SPSA), an
organization founded by the Fresno, California-based Armenian
Technology Group (ATG), and department head Garnik Petrosyan discussed
SPSA's work in producing and supplying high quality wheat and barley
seed to farmers in outlying areas.
After discussing the economic hardships suffered by Shamshadin
Armenians, the men agreed to concentrate new efforts to assist farmers
in the region. "After the meeting, Garnik Petrosyan called and
suggested I meet Mkrtchyan," Hovakimyan said. "He told me about the
work SPSA was doing. I was impressed with their knowledge and
professionalism. They agreed to provide us with a shipment of
Bezostaya wheat seed for our autumn planting."
--New seed shipment brings festive atmosphere--
On October 14, 2004, a truck loaded with sacks of wheat seed arrived
in Aygepar. "The truck had come all the way from Artik, in the
province of Shirak," Hovakimyan said. "From the start, I could see
that SPSA was a serious organization." Farmers from all over
Shamshadin gathered in the courtyard of Hovakimyan's home to purchase
the seed. They came by car, truck, jeep, and even on donkeys to take
their seed. "One farmer came by donkey all the way from Paravakar,
some 30 kilometers from here, and another came from Ardzvashen, a
mountain village located directly on the border," he said. Curious
passers-by added to the crowd.
As the truck was unloaded, SPSA professionals Gagik Mkrtchyan, Armen
Asatryan, and Vaghinak Kamrastyan carefully weighed every sack, making
sure each farmer received the correct amount of seed. Several sacks
were opened to check for quality. "The farmers were all amazed,"
Hovakimyan said. "Some hadn't seen seed that good in years. Right
away, those who hadn't placed orders requested seed for
themselves. Another 10 metric tons was ordered that day."
Hovakimyan and the SPSA team went to work. In Hovakimyan's yard, they
prepared a 24-square-meter plot to plant several varieties of winter
wheat and barley, to see which of the varieties would prove successful
in the unique climate of Shamshadin. In larger plots, they planted
Elite wheat and barley seed, to be able to provide farmers with high
quality first-generation seed grown in the area. "From the start, our
relationship was good," Hovakimyan said. "Up to the time of the first
snowfall, Gagik and the others came to check the progress of the
newly-planted wheat and barley. I had never seen this kind of
dedication."
--Spring brings new hope, energy to Shamshadin--
Spring 2005 blossomed in Shamshadin. Meadows, forests, and fields were
green after welcome rains soaked the area. In wheat fields, newly
sprouted leaves glistened in the bright sunlight. Walking through
vineyard rows on a hill overlooking a field of Bezostaya wheat,
Hovakimyan stopped and looked at the new canes, still wet from the
previous night's rain. "I expect a good crop this year," he
said. "After making wine, I'll sell the remainder of the harvest to
the winery in Aygepar." He walked into the wheat field with Gagik
Mkrtchyan and Vaghinak Kamrastyan, who had just arrived in the
village. "Last spring, this same field had mixed varieties, and the
harvest was very low," Hovakimyan said. "Now, the new planting of
Bezostaya looks perfect."
Hovakimyan pointed at an open, grassy field in a flat area below.
"That farmer should have already cultivated his land for the autumn
sowing," he said. "If he waits too long, the weeds will become a
problem." Kneeling, Kamrastyan pulled a stray weed. "This kind of weed
winds around the wheat plant, causing it to lie down," he said. "If
there are more, we can pull them out by hand."
After leaving the field, the men drove to another where several
varieties of wheat, including Stevens, Dadash, Bezostaya, and Findley
were planted. "The plot of Stevens looks excellent," Mkrtchyan
said. "It's a great variety. From Ararat to Lori, ATG farmers plant
Stevens. The harvests are high, and the husks are covered with strands
that protect the plant from birds." An old woman walked past the
field, towards a small vegetable patch up the hill. In the distance, a
car wound its way down a dirt road from Movses village, where farmers
also had plantings of the seed brought by SPSA. "Most of the young men
from Movses have gone to Russia to work," Hovakimyan said. "Now,
everyone there, as in all of Shamshadin, is waiting for the year's
harvest. The new wheat seed could save our area, our farmers."
Back at Hovakimyan's home, the men checked the growth of each variety
in the small experimental plot. "Most of the varieties look very
good," Mkrtchyan said. "Especially Stevens, Baldasar, a French
variety, and ATGF 35-16. Promontory has a little rust, probably
because of the damp climate here." Valodya Machkalyan, a wheat farmer
from nearby Tovuz village and a friend of Hovakimyan, joined the men
as they investigated the plot. "Almost every day, area farmers come to
see how the new varieties are growing," Hovakimyan said. His
satisfaction was evident. "Sometimes, I see cars parked along the
sides of my fields, and people checking the progress of my wheat.
"I feel I'm doing my part for Shamshadin. Our work with SPSA stands to
help our farmers tremendously. The advice they give about new
varieties and new technologies, such as non-till cultivation, could
save us money and make us competitive in the Armenian marketplace. We
appreciate everything they are doing for us. Farmers here are excited
about the coming harvest. Not one farmer is dissatisfied with the new
seed. After harvest, I expect every wheat farmer in Shamshadin to
plant SPSA seed. We all want our relationship to continue. If our
farmers have good seed, they will stay in Shamshadin. Now, word has
even reached Davit Lokyan (Minister of Agriculture) about our
wheat. He wants to come to Shamshadin and see our fields for himself.
"To me, bread is life. If we have bread, we are secure, and our life
is good."
--
James "Antranik" Michaelian is a journalist covering farming in
Armenia for The Armenian Technology Group (ATG). The ATG's
RuralArmenia News Service can be reached at [email protected].
The Armenian Technology Group, Inc. can be reached at:
1300 E. Shaw Ave, Suite 149
P.O.Box 5969
Fresno, CA 93755-5969
Tel: 559-224-1000
Fax: 559-224-1002
Email: [email protected]
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