Partnership Programme of AIMA
Programme coordinator: Radek Vlk, email: vlk#vmp.cz
National coordinator: Ashot Voskanyan, email: avoskanyan#cln.am
Web editor: Nara Yaralyan, e-mail: n.yaralyan#agrowebcac.org

 International Association of Agricultural Museums

There is a compelling evidence that agriculture has a many thousands year history in Armenia. Three from the four wild wheat species known to the scientists grow in Armenia (“Erebuni” Reserve). The Armenian Plateau is well known as an area where wild cattle and sheep were domesticated.
In Armenia, over years, agriculture went through periods of regress and development, bust and boom, but at all times and in any circumstances agriculture proved to be a sustainable and viable branch of the Armenian economy.
Armenia was one of those former soviet countries that right after declaration of independence initiated the process of privatization of land resources, other means of production, infrastructures as well as food processing and trading industries.
As a result of reforms, thousands of rural households and commercial farms as well as processing, input and service supplying private companies were established, all of them operating in a new environment of market economy.
Currently, agriculture and food production is one of the most important branches of the Armenian economy providing about 25 % of the national gross domestic product.
Revival of the Armenian agriculture and processing industry was significantly conditioned by the country’s becoming a member of various international organizations, which in its turn led to successful implementation of a number of strategic projects.
In order to contribute to effective management and administration in agriculture and receive necessary technical support to be able to develop agricultural policies and strategies that meet international standards, Armenia took a decisive step forward and joined the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). November of 1993 is a memorable month for us for the momentous day when Armenia together with a number of other countries participated in the FAO joining ceremony during which the national flag of the Republic of Armenia was officially raised in the Head Quarter Office of FAO in Rome. At the ceremony, Armenia was represented by the former minister of agriculture of the Republic of Armenia Dr. Ashot Voskanyan. Also present at the ceremony were the former Deputy Minister of Agriculture of Armenia Mr. Ishkhan Martirosyan, Permanent Representative of Armenia to the UN FAO Mr. Zohrab Malek, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization's Sub-regional Representative for Central and Eastern Europe Ms. Maria Kadlecikova.
It must be stressed that the UN FAO played significant role in agriculture and rural development, introduction of new agriculture and farm management techniques, and solution of various food safety and security related issues in Armenia. By now, FAO has implemented dozens of projects and activities in Armenia developing effective and fruitful collaboration with the government of the country. Opening of the UN FAO representation in Yerevan in 2004 and the FAO 27th European Regional Conference to be held Armenia in May 2010 are important milestones that show graphic evidence of successful collaboration.
This is the historic reality that serves as a starting point for establishment of a virtual agricultural museum in Armenia, which, we believe, will be valued and appreciated by the next generations. We welcome all interested persons and organizations – state government units, private, public, and international organizations, etc. – to participate in this initiative of creation of the Armenian Virtual Agricultural Museum.
Ashot Voskanyan
The Former Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Armenia,
President of AGROZARGATSUM (“AGRODEVELOPMENT”) NGO