The ClimaEast Plus project: Introduction of sustainable pasture management practices in mountainous communities of Gegharkunik region

Project Details & Results

The project on introduction of sustainable pasture management practices in mountainous communities of Gegharkunik region aims to improve agroecosystem services under adverse impacts of climate change to sustain livelihoods of mountainous communities. In close collaboration and in compliment with the activities of UNDP/EU Clima East Pilot Project being “Sustainable management of pastures and forest in Armenia to demonstrate climate change mitigation and adaptation benefits and dividends for local communities”, the Clima East Plus will undertake activities for mobilization and capacity building of 6 communities of Gegharkunik region. In total 60 inhabitants of project communities (pasture users/farmers, community counsel and staff of local authorities) will gain knowledge and skills on pastures assessment and monitoring, design/adjust communal pastures management plans based on pastures monitoring results, rotational grazing plans as well as appropriate set of documents for implementation and control mechanisms of newly introduced Pasturelands Management System. Over 900 community members will raise awareness on global environmental problems and benefits of good practices for crop and livestock production that contribute to enhancement of multiple agroecosystem services. 

Project Results

The project will produce the following major outputs:

• Integrated pasturelands management and sustainable use practices (including rotational grazing system) are introduced in 6 target communities to mitigate land degradation.
• Capacities of local population (pasture users/farmers, community counsel and staff of local authorities) to design and operate Pasturelands Management System are developed (number of people trained – 60). 
• Improved land management practices on the surface of 3,506 ha of pasturelands.
• Decreased pressure on 2076 ha overgrazed/nearby pasturelands as a result of improved access to 800 ha remote pastures.
• Saved from degradation and rehabilitated lands of total 3546 ha (2706 ha of adjacent pastures, 800 ha of remote pastures and 40 ha of arable lands).
• Access to remote pastures increased as a result of improved infrastructure (construction of 3 covered milking parlors and 3 milk cooling baths; 3 water heating utilities and 3 electric fences for cattle established).
• Increased productivity of cattle due to available artificial insemination services (3,045 cows -40-50% for the first and 80-90% for the second years are artificially inseminated).