Fostering a Sustainable Future in Armenia: The role of Sustainable Land Management Initiatives

Land degradation and desertification in Armenia are caused by natural and anthropogenic factors. Nature itself contributes to land degradation due to lack of precipitation, droughts and sandstorms, which in turn are caused by uneven distribution of seasonal and regional precipitation, natural salinization, as well as floods and landslides in the rainy season. Among the causes of degradation caused by human activities are inefficient agricultural practices, such as insufficient crop rotation, inefficient use of irrigation methods, overgrazing of pastures and violations of plowing rules, illegal logging, overuse of groundwater (artesian wells), soil pollution, as well as mining, urban development and road construction. Land degradation in Armenia is a critical concern, impacting not only agricultural productivity but also the overall health of ecosystems. In addition to the on-going land degradation challenges, climate change is increasing the risks for Armenia’s agriculture sector, further exacerbating these issues unless proactive measures are taken. Achieving land degradation neutrality is proposed as a solution, because it balances land degradation with land restoration, preventing further damage while rehabilitating degraded areas.This approach helps maintain or improve the productivity and resilience of land resources, supports sustainable agricultural practices, and mitigates the adverse effects of climate change. Armenia is among 123 countries committed to achieving land degradation neutrality. 

To support the global efforts, a plan for the neutralization of soil degradation in Armenia has been approved by Armenia in 2021, which states that to achieve the neutralization of soil degradation in Armenia, a national voluntary global goal is to increase organic carbon reserves in the soil (underground and above ground) by 1.5% by 2040 compared to the situation in 2015. 

In response to the pressing issue of land degradation, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is supporting the Government of Armenia through the “Implementation of Armenia’s Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) commitments through sustainable land management and restoration of degraded landscapes” project. The project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in partnership with the Environmental Projects Implementation Unit (EPIU) under the Ministry of Environment. 

Launched in 2022, this project aims to work towards the establishment of sustainable land management practices that promote effective use of land while restoring degraded landscapes. This includes developing comprehensive land-use planning strategies and aligning policy directives at both national and sub-national levels to ensure good governance.

This project is following a landscape approach in line with GEF’s vision to foster sustainable integrated landscapes to achieve land degradation neutrality. As part of its efforts, the FAO project anticipates the restoration of 4,000 hectares of degraded grasslands and the implementation of sustainable land management practices on 66,000 hectares across the target regions of Lori and Syunik Marzes. A key aspect of this initiative is the promotion of innovations in sustainable land management to enhance resilience and productivity. Over the past year, farmers in the Tumanyan and Sisian communities have experienced the tangible benefits of sustainable land management practices. The project supported the improvement of 300 hectares of degraded arable land, where local species such as sainfoin, alfalfa, and various grains were cultivated. Initial harvests indicate promising yields, providing farmers with not only food but also income stability.

In addition to traditional crops, the project introduced diverse vegetable cultivation. Beneficiaries received 34,000 seedlings of tomatoes, hot and sweet peppers, eggplants, lettuce, broccoli, and cucumbers. The vegetables thrived in the revitalized soils, and farmers have begun to see successful harvests. The introduction of these high-value crops not only diversifies agricultural output but also enhances nutritional availability in local diets. The project works also on apiculture value chains that will support restoring degraded lands, increasing biodiversity and improving incomes of local communities.

The project made substantial progress in beekeeping, by providing farmers with 120 beehives along with essential tools enabling them to work in cooperation and laying the ground for formation of cooperatives. The first honey harvest, conducted in August-September 2024 demonstrated high satisfaction among farmers. Integrating beekeeping into agricultural practices fosters biodiversity and improves crop pollination, further enhancing overall yields.