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

Project Details & Results

 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 Results

The project will produce the following results:

• Innovative cultivation center/1000sq/m including blueberry bio reactive greenhouse established;   

• 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; 

• 8 video streams under "AgriBerd Presents!" title focusing on local women farmers, their experience, challenges and achievements, plans and perspectives broadcast online;

• 3 new methods in berry cultivation applied;

• Livelihood of 22 households in Berd improved with annual income of about $10,000.

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 Results

The project will produce the following results:

Innovative cultivation center/1000sq/m including blueberry bio reactive greenhouse established;   

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; 

8 video streams under "AgriBerd Presents!" title focusing on local women farmers, their experience, challenges and achievements, plans and perspectives broadcast online;

3 new methods in berry cultivation applied;

Livelihood of 22 households in Berd improved with annual income of about $10,000.