Spitak YMCA becomes pioneer for education in sustainable horticulture


Already the construction of the solar power plant on the roof of our «Home for Future» in 2013 had been a pioneer project for the region and even for whole Armenia. And the story goes on.

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) recently approved the partial financing of the one years’ project «Establishment of a training and production center for young agro-ecologists in Spitak». Its main goal is the introduction and promotion of innovative climate-resilient crop-farming practices through education of the youth. The project also aims to restore the purposeful use of land resources Spitak and in the Lori region. We want to reach these goals through investing in technologies and methods that yield high quality cultured plants and through promoting sustainable and profitable horticulture in the community.

Planned activities (March 2017 – April 2018)

·      We will upgrade 350 m automatic irrigation system with newpumps, which will work through the photovoltaic solar stationand give an example for reducing water expenses.

·      We will establish additonal 0,2 hectares fertil garden with drip irrigation, where we will plant high value crops and new species of trees and plantsfor global climate-resilience, whicht contributes to the biodiversity of our region.

·      We will construct 200 m2 of green houses, where sustainable, profitable crops are cultivated.

·      The garden and the green houses set the concrete scope for the practical lessons, which will also increase the incomeof our training center.

·      We will build 120m3 green house cool storage with light construction and thereby create a safe storage for the crops.

·      Through the trainings, the participants' knowledge about land degradation, climate change and biodversity issues as well as their skills in sustainable horticulture and land management will be strenghthened.

·      Our activities will include 50 pupils from Spitak high school and about 200 beneficiaries from Spitak YMCA.

The total budget of the program is 75 184 USD, from which 44 793 USD is provided by UNDP, 12 650 USD is funded by YMCA Zurich and 17 741 USD is in-kind and cash investment by Spitak YMCA.The implementation of the project will give a new breath, both to Spitak YMCA and the community. An active working process will start which is very much needed in Spitak town.