Thanks to extra funding from an Erasmus+ mobility grant, the University of Natural Resources and Life Science, Vienna (BOKU) was able to host an organic agriculture and teaching training for BOAA partners from ANAU.
From November 4th till November 10th 2019, two Armenian professors visited BOKU. The guests participated in several courses from the master program of “organic agricultural systems and agroecology” - covering topics like ethics, local knowledge or organic regulations and certification - and discussed content and teaching methods with lecturers from BOKU. Furthermore, specific teaching exchange meetings between the visiting professors and relevant teachers from BOKU were organized.
In addition, the Armenian guests were able to visit BOKUs teaching and research site in Jedlersdorf. Members from Jedlersdorf and the Institute of Viticulture and Pomology gave a long and very interesting tour. Research facilities and field trials for fruit and vegetable production were examined and the integration of research, courses and master students were discussed. The insights provided many inspirations for the future use of the new seven-hectare organic training facility of ANAU.
Finally, excursions to organic farms and other places of the Viennese organic agriculture system were organized. “Ochsenherz” as a prime example for community supported agriculture (CSA) was visited and it was discussed how such an alternative approach to organic marketing could work in Armenia. To contrast this alternative way of marketing also other points of sale for organic products were visited.
