Country Pasture/Forage Resource Profiles

ARMENIA

by
Robert Tumanian
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FAO 2006
 3

CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION 5

2. SOILS AND TOPOGRAPHY 6

3. CLIMATE AND AGRO-ECOLOGICAL ZONES 8

Natural zones 8
Agricultural zones 11

4. RUMINANT LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION SYSTEMS 12

Fodder crops 15

5. THE PASTURE RESOURCE 16

The current state of pastures 18
Pasture improvement and its proper utilization 19

6. OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT OF FODDER RESOURCES 20

7. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS AND PERSONNEL 20

8. REFERENCES 22

9. CONTACTS 22
Country Pasture/Forage Resource Profile 5

1. INTRODUCTION

Armenia is an ancient country. The ancestors of modern Armenians lived on the Armenian plateau over a
vast territory, between Asia Minor and the Iranian upland. Human footprints detected in the area go back
to the Old Stone Age. During the Palaeolithic period there was primitive farming on the plateau and,
in the Neolithic and the early Bronze Age, animal husbandry developed. Armenia is one of the ancient
centres of metal culture/industry; already in the fifthfourth centuries BC there was copper working
in Armenia. Between the third and second centuries BC stock-rearing became a major occupation.
The tribes of the Armenian plateau unified to create unions like Uruatri, Nairi, Dayani and others.
Based on these unions the state of Urartu was created, which at the end of nintheighth centuries BC
considerably expanded its boundaries. In the seventhsixth centuries BC, in the valleys of the Armenian
mountain ranges, crop production and viticulture were largely developed. On a Babylonian world map
(fifth century BC) Armenia was included and in the second half of the second century the Armenian
nationality was finally shaped.
Being between the greatest conflicting powers of East and West (Persia, Rome, Arabic Caliphate,
Byzantium and others) Armenia became an arena of incessant warfare. It strove for independence
for many centuries. In the fourth century BC the basis of the Armenian state was strengthened.
Later Christianity was declared the state religion and Armenian national culture flourished. With the
emergence of the Dynasty of Bagratids (tenth century) and the Armenian State of Kilikia (eleventh
century) medieval society prospered, and the full flowering of its national attributes occurred. In the
twelth century Armenia was divided between Turkey and Iran. In the course of the three succeeding
centuries Armenians were involved in a liberation movement against the Turkish-Persian powers.
At the beginning of the nineteenth century Eastern Armenia joined Russia. However a large part of
its territory remained under the sovereignty/control of Turkey. On 29 November 1920 Armenia was
declared a Soviet Socialist Republic. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 Armenia regained
its independence.
The majority of the population are Armenians. In addition there are Russians, Yezidis, Azeris,
Georgians, Kurds, Greeks, Assyrians, Ukrainians, Jews and others. According to the World Factbook the
July 2006 population was estimated at 2976372 with a growth rate of 0.19%.

Geographical location. Armenia is in the south of the Caucasus, latitude 380 51 to 41o 18 N and
longitude 43o 29 to 46o 37 E. It occupies the southeastern part of the Armenian mountain range and the
central part of the Small Caucasus. To the north it is bordered by the Republic of Georgia, to the east and
southwest by the Republic of Azerbaijan, to the west by Turkey and to the south by Iran. The territory
is divided into 37 regions, which, after gaining independence in 1991, were regrouped into 10 regions,
the so-called marzes: Aragatsotn, Ararat, Armavir, Gegharkunik, Lori, Kotayk, Shirak, Syunik, Tavush
and Vayots Dzor. The capital of the country is Yerevan.
The total land area is 297 000 km2 and it is 270 km wide and 279 km long. The total area of
agricultural land is 1 391 377 ha, 494 689 ha of which are arable, 63 766 are perennial plantations,
138907ha are grasslands and 694015ha are pastures.

Livestock. The total number of cattle in 2001 was 497300 (Table 2) of which 264900 were cows; also
there were 540000 small ruminants, 68900 pigs and 11400 horses. In 1998 some 462000tonnes of
milk, about 86000tonnes of meat and 1922tonnes of wool were produced. This production was not
sufficient for domestic needs and some products were imported from abroad (Iran, Turkey, India, United
Arab Emirates, etc.). By 2004 livestock numbers were 565800 cattle (including nearly 300000 cows),
628500 small ruminants, 85400 pigs and 12500 horses; production was 535831tonnes of fresh milk,
54027tonnes of meat and 1200tonnes of wool. Imports of meat and milk in 2004 had increased to
31051.2tonnes (total meat) and 53962.5tonnes (milk equivalents) respectively (Table 3).
For full details of livestock numbers and imports see section 4 and Tables 2 and 3.
6 Country Pasture/Forage Resource Profile

2. SOILS AND TOPOGRAPHY

Topography. Armenia is the most mountainous of the Caucasian republics (see Figure 1). It is
distinguished by its complex relief and varied natural conditions. The average altitude is 1800m. More
than 90% is above 1000m. The highest point, the top of mount Aragats, is 4095m while the lowest
point is at 380m in the northeast where the River Araks flows out of Margi gorge.
The diverse shapes and types of mountainous relief are conditioned by the complexity of geological
structure as well as by physical and geographical conditions. The prevalence of volcanic relief is a
characteristic feature. It is represented by mountain ranges (Kharabakh, Javakhet), shield-shaped ridges
(Gegam, Vardenis) and large isolated cone and dome-shaped ridges (mountains Aragats and Arayee). A
substantial area is occupied by folded ridges: Pambak, Areguni, Murkhuz, Zangezur, having different
directions and extensions. Low mountains and foothills are fragmented by a dense network of ravines
and gorges and mudflow creeks. On the whole the relief of the republic is complex and fragmented, and
with many landslides and active erosion processes, tillage and agricultural activity are hampered.

Soils. Soil cover is very varied. Here all kinds of zonal soil types, shaped in mountainous districts of the
Great Caucasus, can be encountered. Throughout the territory there are 5 classes, 15 genetic types, 33
pseudo/subtypes, several hundred appearance/form types of soil as well as soils of 135 origins. Zonal
expansion is characteristic of 8 (types) out of the identified 15 genetic types. They occupy 91% of the
territory. The remainder is covered by intra-zonal and azonal soils.
The most common of the zonal types are: mountain-meadow, mountain-meadow-steppe, mountain
brown forest-soil, mountain chernozem, mountain chestnut and mountain-brown soils. In the areas where
zonal types of soil were formed, the intrazonal types are also spread: fluvial-swamp, fluvial-grassland,
irrigated meadow-brown, meadow-chernozem, turf-carbonated soils. Despite apparent vertical zonality
being characteristic of soil cover, all soil types depend on the altitude of the district.

Figure 1. Map of Armenia

Country Pasture/Forage Resource Profile 7

The vegetation is represented by many types, from steppe and semi-steppe to alpine. The diversity
of species covers two extremely different floristic provinces: Ponto-Girkanic mesophyl and Iranian
xerophyll. The vegetation of the lower zone is semi-steppe with expanded halophyte vegetation in steppe
areas with the prevalence of Artemisia in semi-desert areas.
In the foothills of the Ararat valley frigonoid vegetation with a predominance of thorny shrubs that
form hummocks, (Astragalus, Acantholimon), as well as xerophythe undergrowth perennials from the
family of labiates, is most common.
Higher up, where the mountain-steppe zone starts, the vegetation is Stipa and Festuca. In some of the
more arid parts xerophyll-mixed grass vegetation is mixed with tragacanth (Ferula) steppes.
Most of the northeast and southeast region is forest, which explains the comparatively regular
climatic conditions. Together with shrubs, forests comprise 12% of the territory. The altitude of forests in
the northeast reaches 19002100m, in Zangezur up to 2400m, and comprises mainly eastern beech,
oak and hornbeam. Xerophyll sparse woods, juniper and deciduous forests are widespread.
Above the tree line, subalpine, alpine and nival vegetation is common. Mountain-meadow steppes,
subalpine and alpine meadows serve as summer pastures. High mountains and the tops of the mountains
are tundra. On stony talus and alluvia, sparse cushion-vegetation grows. There are some glaciers.

Water resources are rivers, lakes and underground water (see Figure 2). Annually rivers bring in six
billion m3 of water. An appropriate use of this amount would suffice to irrigate the low and foothill
regions. The northern river network drains to the Caspian Sea and includes about 450 rivers and streams
extending for more than 10km. Rivers of southern Armenia drain to the basin of the River Araks (about
74% of the river net).
Maximum floods occur in May, by September they become less. Most rivers in their lower stretches
are subject to mudflows, and sudden and intense floods especially in spring. These are accompanied by
the washing down of a huge amount of mud and stones. Because of the fast flow rivers do not freeze.
Seasonal distribution of river flow is uneven. Thus, the flow in the cold half of the year from September
to February is only 25% of the total, while that in the warmer half is 75%. The flow in the warm season
is distinguished by a substantial variability.

Figure 2. Water resources of Armenia

8 Country Pasture/Forage Resource Profile

The biggest and deepest river is the boundary River Araks, which stretches through Armenia for
only 200km. Its major tributaries in Armenia are the Akhuryan, Hrazdan, Azat, Vedi, Vorotan, Vokhchi,
Megri, etc. The River Sevjur is remarkable for being mainly fed by underground water. The rivers of the
Koor basin have their source in the northern, damper part of the country and are consequently deeper.
One of the largest tributaries of the River Koor in the republic is the River Debed formed by the joining
of two rivers, Dsoraget and Pambak.
There are more than 100 minor mountain lakes, most of them above 2 000 m, that typically are
used for watering pastures. Lake Sevan is of national significance (about 35 billion m3), its water being
intensively used for irrigation and energy generation. Among minor lakes, the Arpa, Akna, Lori and Cars
have been used recently not only for irrigation but also for fish farming.
Swamp and marshlands are mainly in the northwest of the Lori plateau, Shurabad basin, Masrin and
Ararat valleys; most have already been drained and are used for agriculture. In the north of Armenia
swampiness is favoured by high rainfall, a flat land surface and the presence of underground water, while
in the south it is favoured by the ancient river-beds of the River Araks.

3. CLIMATE AND AGRO-ECOLOGICAL ZONES

Armenia is on the northern edge of the subtropical zone, in latitudes characterized by a manifestly arid
and continental climate. Due to a complex mountainous relief the climate is very varied. For example,
the Ararat valley has an arid continental climate, however only 10km to the north on the mountain of
Aragats mountain tundra with glacial formations can be observed.
Solar radiation, the most important climate factor, is very intense. At noon in the Ararat valley, each
cm of the surface receives on average 1.46calories of heat per minute. The intensity of solar energy
2

increases in line with the increase in altitude. At 3000m it increases to 1.54cal/cm2. The annual duration
of sunlight in the Ararat valley and Sevan basin reaches about 3 000 hours; in the mid-mountainous
forest areas of the north about 2000 hours.
High fluctuations in annual and daily temperatures are characteristic of the climate. In JulyAugust
in the lowlands, air temperature is about 2226 C, in mid-mountainous country 1620 C, in the
highland zone it does not pass 10 C; the absolute maximal temperature ranges from 42 to 20. In
January, depending on the altitude of the territory and the peculiarities of the relief, the mean daily
temperature ranges between +1 and 13, absolute minima range from 200 to 45 0C. Large daily
temperature fluctuations occur in summer in the Ararat valley where the air temperature rises to +42oC
in day-time, and falls to +20oC at night.
The relief greatly affects the duration and the features of the seasons. The frost-free period in the
lowlands and the foothills is more than 220 days, in mid-mountainous areas about 150 days, and in
highland zones 60 days. The longest season in lowland regions is summer (45 months), in mid-
mountains the seasons coincide with calendar seasons, while in the highlands winter lasts for six months.
The highest precipitation is between May and June. The annual precipitation fluctuates over a wide
scale: from 250mm, in arid regions, to 1000mm in the highlands. The distribution of snow cover is also
unequal. In the foothill zone of the Ararat valley a stable snow cover is not observed every year and its
height does not exceed 10cm, whereas in the highlands the duration of stable snow cover is 56months
and its height reaches 2m.
Changes in the direction of air flows are conditioned by the very rugged relief, so the republic is
distinguished by diverse wind speeds and direction. The strongest winds are in the highlands in winter.
In summer, mountain-valley winds appear in the valleys and hollows. To sum up, Armenia has a vertical
zonality and diversity of climate.

Natural zones
The republic is subject to vertical zonality, the latter being very varied. Abrupt changes of natural zones go
in line with altitude changes. The following agro-economic natural zones can be defined (see Figure 3):
Country Pasture/Forage Resource Profile 9

Figure 3. Natural zones

of Armenia

Semi-desert zone. The semi-desert zone occupies the Ararat valley and the lowlands adjacent to the
foothills. It also occurs in small tracts in the southeast at altitudes between 600 and 1300 m. A major
characteristic of the semi-desert zone is low precipitation, not above 250mm, and high air temperature.
Limited precipitation coupled with the influence of high temperatures creates xerothermic conditions.
The hot summer and dryness of the air result in rapid evaporation of soil moisture, which in turn leads
to salt accumulation in the soil upper levels. Semi-desert soil cover varies according to its composition,
salt level, physical characteristics, steepness, etc. Semi-desert is extensive within the complex relief.
Absolutely flat land, as well as slopes of different steepness and exposures, can be found. In semi-
steppes all changes in vegetation are conditioned by relief changes.
Since the climate is continental there is no dense and lush natural cover. The vegetation is mainly
represented by two extremely different ecotypes xerophytes (Hordeum crinitum, Kochia, Euphorbia
marschalliana, Astragalus, Bromus inermis, Androsace, Festuca sulcata, etc.) and ephemerals
(Bromus tectorum, Bromus squarrosum, Androsace, Geranium tuberosum, Hordeum crinitum, etc.) and
ephemeroids (Poa bulbosa, Chenopodium humile, Carex stenophilla). In areas of intense salinisation
solonetz or alkali soil the vegetation is Salsola.
The basic vegetation is Artemisia, turf grasses (Bromus tectorum, Bromus squarrosum, Hordeum
crinitum, Festuca sulcata), ephemerals (Bromus tectorum, Bromus squarrosum, Androsace, Geranium
tuberosum, Hordeum crinitum, etc.) and ephemeroids (Poa bulbosa, Chenopodium humile, Carex
stenophilla). Semi-deserts mostly serve as pastures for cattle and small ruminants.
Natural environmental conditions heat, light and ground salt favour the development of
horticulture and fruit growing in this area, which suits cultivation of excellent types of grape, apricot,
peach, etc. that cannot be grown in other zones. Farming is all irrigated.

The steppe. Occupies a substantial territory at an altitude of between 1000 and 2200m. The relief
is extremely complex. Here all kinds of transitions can be found: from mountain plateau to plain,
from slight and flat slopes to steep and abrupt ones. In some parts the relief is complicated by uneven
landscape with multiple minor ridges of various size and shape.
The climate is mainly dry and warm. In terms of temperature effects, two subzones can be identified:
the upper or moderately warm subzone, situated at an altitude above 1800 m and the lower or warm
subzone, characterized by a higher temperature in summer and by a longer duration of the growing
period. The annual precipitation is 450 to 600mm. Annual distribution of precipitation is uneven. The
maximum precipitation level is in spring and the beginning of summer. July and especially August are
10 Country Pasture/Forage Resource Profile

very dry. The continental climate is conditioned by comparatively high temperatures in summer and low
temperatures in winter. The soil cover is particularly varied with frequent transitions from light chestnut
to chernozem.
Among steppe vegetation groups dry-steppe and genuine steppe vegetation can be identified. Turf
grasses prevail within the vegetation cover of dry steppe. Typically the grass is not high; it is sparse, and
of pasture type. Steppe plant groupings are characterized by a well-developed turf-forming processes
and intense growth of mixed forbs, grass, Achillea, Circium, Euphorbia, Alchemilla, Taraxacum, etc.,
and legumes (Vicia, Trifolium repens, Lathyrus, etc.); in the spring ephemerals are more abundant.
Nevertheless turf grasses predominate among steppe vegetation. They determine the character of steppes
at the end of summer and the beginning of autumn.
The steppe zone is typically agricultural. Major crops are grains wheat, barley and oats. Here
livestock-raising and fruit-growing are also well developed. Crops are both irrigated and rainfed: in the
lower subzone it is irrigated, in the upper subzone field crops can be cultivated without any irrigation.
Steep land is used for fodder production and pastures; pastures prevail.

Steppe-meadow zone. At certain altitudes steppes change into steppe-meadows. They form a transition
between the steppes and meadows and are characterized by features that are common to both steppe and
meadow phytocenoses. Steppe meadows occupy a considerable territory at a range of 15001800m
above sea level, in some parts the altitude reaches 20002300m. They are remarkable on account of
extremely diverse vegetation. The correlation between steppe and meadow vegetation varies, depending
on the type of the steppe-meadow. In lower parts, steppe plants (sheeps fescue Festuca sulcata,
Phleum phleoides, Agropyron, Bromus, etc.) are predominant, while in higher parts, meadow vegetation
(Phleum pratense, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca pratensis, etc.) prevails. The grass cover is dense.
The climate differs from the climate in steppe areas by a damper and warmer summer in the case of
a comparatively even distribution of precipitation during the vegetation period. In the lower subzone the
unevenness of precipitation levels is rather apparent. The annual precipitation level exceeds 600mm, in
the upper zone it reaches up to 700mm. In summer, thunderstorms accompanied by hail are frequent. The
frost-free period continues for up to 44.5months. Frosts start from September and last till the end of May.
Soil types are varied. There are various mountain chernozem and mountain meadow soils. On the
plains and lesser slopes, melkozem soils are distinguished by a high production level. Rarely, rocks of
original types, like crags, cliffs and alluvial deposits, are encountered. Steppe-meadow zones, as well
as the steppe zones, are mainly agricultural. Because of a damper climate, crops are rainfed. The main
crops grown are cereals, potato, perennial and annual grass etc. Uncultivated land is used for grazing
and fodder. Steeper and stonier slopes are used only for grazing.

The forest zone. Armenia is less well endowed with forest than the other republics of the Caucasus. Its
forest area comprises 411000ha, about 288000ha of which are actually covered by forests. Forests are
unevenly distributed: they mainly occur in two regions. The first is the larger, situated in the northeast. In
other regions forests can also be encountered in the form of small islands. The central part of the country
is almost without forest. The composition of forests is diverse and rich. Among the most common trees
the following should be mentioned: Quercus, Fagus, Carpinus, Tilia, Acer, Ulmus, Fraxinus, Carpinus
orientalis, Betula, Pinus, Juniperus. The major forest trees are Fagus, Quercus and Carpinus. Forests
are typically in the mountains and valleys. In the lowlands, plains, and plateaus there are none at all. The
steepness of forest slopes ranges from 2025 to 3035 and above.
Being mostly in mid-mountains and foothills, forest regions occupy a moderately cold, climatically-
speaking, mountain strip. The climate is characterized by comparatively small annual fluctuations: 2224C;
mean annual temperature ranges from 4 to 9C and mean precipitation level from 400 to 800mm. Winter is
very gentle, the mean temperature in January being 12C. The climate of southern Armenia is especially
arid, since the upper forest border is of significantly high altitude. The mountains are at an altitude of 500
to 2300m. However, in some regions forests are situated at an altitude of 2600m and above.

Cleared forest zone. Incorrect forest felling in the past and the overuse of forest have radically reduced
the forest area. Cleared forest lands are either abandoned or used as grasslands and pastures. The
Country Pasture/Forage Resource Profile 11

incidence of cleared forest zones is directly linked to the incidence of forest itself throughout the country.
An especially large area of cleared forest occurs in northern Armenia. A small expansion of the zone
within the southern part of the country is explained by climatic and relief peculiarities of this part. The
climate here is arid, the relief is highly rugged, forest slopes are steep and abrupt. The combination of
these characteristics leads to the fact that after deforestation these areas are converted into steppes and
mountain xerophytes but not into meadows.
The cleared forest zone mostly occurs on comparatively gentle reliefs, on mild slopes; the reason for
this being the fact that more available (in terms of relief) forests have been logged by the population. In
regions with rugged landscape, cleared forest extends over very different relief conditions and is often
on steep slopes.

Subalpine zone. At an altitude of 2 300 to 2 800 m a distinctly definable zone is situated on all
significant mountain ridges and tracts. The borders here referred to are rather vague. They merely
identify the region where there is the maximum development of subalpine meadows. Sometimes in
damper regions, along northern slopes, it descends to an altitude of 1900m; in dry regions of central
and especially southern Armenia on the southern slopes of certain mountain tracts distinctly defined
subalpine meadows are encountered only at an altitude of 27002800 m. The grass Phleum pratense,
Dactylis glomerata, Festuca pratensis, etc. is tallish, the natural cover is dense with a high level of turf
formation. Geological stages are apparent. The high location results in climate severity. Summer here
is moderately cold and brief; already at the end of August there are frosts. Annual precipitation levels
exceed 650700 mm. Moderate slopes and plains are rare. The subalpine zone, situated on Zangezur
ridge and its spurs, is especially remarkable for its rugged relief and steep slopes.
The soil of the subalpine zone resembles the mountain-meadow type and is distinguished by a greater
capacity and considerably high level of humus and dead roots. As a result of severe climate and sparse
vegetation, seasonal farming and cultivation of field crops are excluded. Subalpine meadows are mainly
for mowing. Only areas on very steep and stony slopes are used as pastures.

The alpine zone occupies a vast territory and is pronounced on all more or less significant mountains. It
is found at an altitude of 2700 to 3500m. On northern slopes it may descend to 2500m, whereas on
southern slopes it can ascend above 2900m. Environmental conditions of the alpine zone are unique. The
relief is diverse. Along with broad plains, situated on high plateaus, multiple steep slopes of various ridges
and cones can be encountered. There are many parent rocks and outcrops here. A considerable territory
on major mountain slopes is occupied by rubble scarps and embankments (talus), fixed and in motion.
The climate is distinguished by its severity. Short growing period, rarefied air, abrupt variations of
temperature between day and night (in summer), considerably high level of (atmospheric) precipitation,
and winds are the basic characteristics of the alpine climate.
Alpine meadow soil is characterized by a substantial level of humidity, especially in spring and
autumn. Large sheets of snow, melting throughout the whole summer, nourish rivers and streams. In
northern high areas and sheltered depressions, large sheets of snow remain from the previous autumn.
On many mountain ridges the rugged relief does not allow the melt to flow down to the lower zones.
The stagnation of these waters in higher parts for a long period of time results in the emergence of rather
large lakes. The highland zone Aragats is especially rich in lakes. Here one can encounter not only sheets
of eternal snow but also huge glaciers. Severe thunderstorms accompanied by massive hail are very
common during the vegetation growing period. Night frosts can occur in any summer month. Even in
July and August, in the higher alpine zone, cases of snowfalls (melting instantly) have been observed.
Farming in the alpine zone is impossible, since no field crop could grow in such severe environmental
conditions. Mowing of most vegetation is not possible either because of the short vegetation height.
Thus, alpine meadows with pasture characteristics serve as an important natural fodder base for
livestock-breeding in summer.

Agricultural zones
Considering the natural and economic conditions, as well as production specialization, nine agricultural
zones can be identified. Generally, an agricultural zone represents a production-area combination,
12 Country Pasture/Forage Resource Profile

specialized in certain types of agricultural production, distinguished by a specific combination of

agricultural activities and land use.
The zone of Ararat valley is specialized in wine production, vegetable and fruit-growing, plus well-
developed dairy and meat production, and poultry keeping on an industrial basis. A considerable part
of the zone is considered to be a suburb of Yerevan which affects the distribution and specialization of
agricultural production. The major part of the zone is characterized by homogeneous climatic conditions.
It represents a plain at an altitude of 800-1000 m surrounded by mountains on most sides. This is a
zone of irrigated crop husbandry, with highly developed agricultural production, remarkable for its high
productivity per hectare.
The foothills of the Ararat Valley are a zone of viticulture and fruit growing with developed dairy and
bovine meat production, pig-breeding and poultry-keeping on an industrial basis. The population living high
in the mountains is involved in sheep-breeding, cereal crops and tobacco cultivation. The central zone has
a developed dairy and beef industry and sheep breeding. Depending on its climate the zone is divided into:
dry-steppe (14001800m) and mountain-steppe (more than 1800m above sea level). Field husbandry is
typically rainfed; animal-husbandry produces 55% of the total agricultural production of the zone.
The Sevan basin is a zone of stock-breeding and potato growing. The leading occupation among
stock-breeding activities is dairy and beef production and meat-wool-dairy sheep-breeding. In the lower
part of the zone at 14002100 m field husbandry is mostly irrigated. At 14002500 m rainfed field
husbandry prevails. At an altitude above 2500m there are open grazing lands.
In the northeastern zone tobacco cultivation, cattle breeding and fruit growing prevail with developed
viticulture and pig-breeding. The zone is represented by two subzones: woodless plain, situated up to
900m and mountain-forest more than 900m.
Lori-Pambak is a dairy and livestock-breeding zone with developed potato cultivation. There are two
subzones in Lori-Pambak: mountain-forest (up to 1500m) and mountain-steppe (more than 1500m).
This is mostly a zone of rainfed farming.
Shirak is a zone of dairy and beef production and meat-wool-dairy sheep-breeding with developed
grain growing. Shirak occupies the northwestern part of the republic. The zone is divided into two
subzones: dry-steppe and mountain-steppe, situated at an altitude of 1800m and more than 1800m,
respectively. In the first subzone farming is mostly irrigated, in the second subzone it is rainfed.
Daralagyaz is a zone with developed viticulture and fruit-growing.
Zangezur is a zone of cattle-breeding and sheep-breeding with developed tobacco cultivation and
viticulture. Zangezur occupies the southwestern edge of the republic. The zone is divided into three
subzones: lowland, (up to 1400m), wooded steppe (14002000m) and mountain-steppe (more than
2000m).

4. RUMINANT LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION SYSTEMS

Pastoral systems are very essential for pasture grazing management. Two pastoral systems are applied
in Armenia: nearby and remote. The nearby system is when the pasture is close to the farmyard
or household. In that case the animal is driven to the farmyard for milking and nights lodging, as well
as for feeding and drinking.
If the pastures are far from the household, the animal is driven there for the whole grazing period
and during all that time the animal stays in the remote pastures; this system of pasture grazing is called
remote. This system is also called summer camp grazing. In Armenia seasonal pasture grazing is
also applied to sheep. In some regions, if the conditions permit, starting from early autumn till late
spring the sheep graze in winter pastures of semi-desert zone. As the weather gets warmer the sheep are
gradually driven up to the highland. In summer time they are kept in alpine and subalpine zones. With
the approach of cold weather they are gradually driven down to lower zones.

Crop production. The diversity of climate in Armenia has contributed to the development of multiple
types of agriculture. The total area of agricultural land comprises 1391377ha of territory (see Figure4),
Country Pasture/Forage Resource Profile 13

Figure 4. Agricultural
and forest lands

494 689 ha of which are arable, 63 766 ha are perennial plantations, 138 907 ha are grasslands and
694015ha are pastures. Grassland is used for feeding the animals in winter, while pastures are used
for grazing from early spring till late autumn. The above figures may vary year to year, except for those
related to grasslands and pastures.
Field husbandry is characterized by a large variety of cultivated crops. Basic crops are winter
and spring grains, potatoes, gourds and vegetables, horticultural crops, fruit, etc. In Soviet times the
cultivation of the above plants was highly developed. The cultivation of industrial crops, like geranium,
sugar beet and tobacco, was also developed. It was carried out through central planning in the fields
of sovkhozes and kolkhozes. After the break-up of the Soviet Union, Armenia gained independence.
Reforms were carried out throughout the country. They were implemented in agriculture as well.
The privatization process of land, farm animals, tools and machinery started. The land was divided
into small plots (from 0.2ha in the regions of intensive field-husbandry to 1.5ha in the highlands) and
distributed among the farmers. Only pastures were privatized. Farmers began to cultivate small plots
of land. The scarcity of tools and machinery, absence of fertilizers, seeds, chemicals, and fuel wood
had a negative effect on land use. Much of the area under crops was underutilized and some of it was
eventually abandoned. The system of agricultural management had a negative impact on crop production
as well.
Currently, 170000 to 195000ha of arable land are annually sown to grain crops, of which 890%
are wheat and barley. Wheat is mostly used for bread, barley for brewing. Lack of adequate agricultural
technology is the reason for their low productivity. Winter wheat yield varies from 18 to 22 quintals/ha;
but in 2000, because of severe drought, it was only 5.9 quintals/ha. The productivity of winter barley
varies from 11 to 17 quintals/ha, that of spring barley from 6.7 to 13.1 quintals/ha.
A substantial area is occupied by gourds and vegetables. Major vegetables cultivated are tomato,
cucumber, eggplant, pepper, onion, garlic, carrot, etc., also gourds, water melon and melon should be
mentioned. Potato is one of the most important crops grown in the mountainous regions. Each year it
covers 3200034000ha of land. Even so, for potato cultivation adequate agricultural techniques are
not used. The scarcity and high prices of fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides also affect production cost.
Potato productivity ranges from 87 to 134 quintals/ha.
Each year from 3000 to 4000ha of land is given to cabbage cultivation. Early cultivars are grown
in the Ararat valley, later ones in mountainous regions. The average yield of cabbage varies from 167
to 248 quintals/ha.
Armenia is remarkable for the finest varieties of grape and apricot. The area under grape comprises
21800ha. Because of the low purchasing power of agricultural enterprises many territories were ruined
14 Country Pasture/Forage Resource Profile

Table 1. Basic agricultural crops and their average productivity in Armenia

Crops 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000

area yield area yield area yield area yield area yield
(ha) (quintal/ (ha) (quintal/ (ha) (quintal/ (ha) (quintal/ (ha) (quintal/
ha) ha) ha) ha) ha)
Winter wheat 79 657 22.6 100 434 16.2 112 840 20.2 104 323 20.0 101 369 17.9
Winter rye 7 14.3 191 9.6 80 7.0 120 8.3 92 8.2
Winter barley 2485 17.0 2140 14.4 1625 11.5 1 356 14.2 1 303 15.7
Spring wheat 13 183 12.1 13 120 12.3 11 467 11.8 8 079 11.3 13 118 5.9
Spring rye 5 30.0 216 9.3 7 10.0 15 20.0 13 20.0
Spring barley 74 970 13,1 72 025 7.8 62 403 11.5 50 531 12.9 54 439 6.7
Oats 1 765 9.8 1 605 7.5 928 13.8 914 12.4 601 6.4
Spelt 7 513 12.7 5 307 9.4 5 305 9.8 5 435 9.0 5 107 7.4
Maize for grains 1 967 22.3 2 070 46.2 2 277 25.3 2 856 40.3 2 799 23.2
Pea for grains 17 22.3 99 13.5 33 15.4 105 8.5 26 9.9
Kidney bean 1 968 23.9 1 606 20.8 1 569 18.1 1 746 20.4 2 029 19.3
Chickpea 211 10.7 137 13.3 141 13.1 91 9.8 90 8.9
Lentil 62 6.0 38 9.9 16 9.8 8 5.9 - -
Tobacco 19 12.3 35 11.9 117 19.0 820 22.6 2 538 18.1
Flax (Linum) 108 - 36 4.1 38 10.5 33 5.9 35 3.9
Potato 32 645 129.6 32 875 109.4 32 736 134.6 31 963 130.6 34 202 87.3
Cabbage 4 091 194.6 3961 196.0 3 364 245.9 3 809 247.9 3 103 167.2
Cucumber 1 984 141.6 1 865 112.9 1 911 129.0 2 125 154.5 1 985 148.0
Tomato 5 995 262.5 5 486 241.3 4 959 230.2 5 788 261.8 5 594 257.1
Red beet 482 173.8 404 142.2 443 157.2 534 130.8 531 131.1
Carrot 704 172.6 770 133.8 757 215.9 813 226.1 833 82.9
Onion 2 056 166.1 3 805 162.9 2 283 167.3 2 203 183.8 1 950 161.1
Garlic 690 86.4 705 65.8 827 68.7 913 76.7 874 70.1
Green peas 77 45.2 69 34.5 54 104.7 42 37.6 178 70.2
Other vegetables 4 958 197.4 4 637 171.1 4 674 216.2 4 587 186.5 4 864 205.4
Gourds 3 814 158.9 3 593 172.8 3271 185.4 4 225 209.4 3 386 156.1
Edible roots 310 223.1 259 199.3 188 246.8 281 198.5 337 141.7
Corn for silage, 537 121.6 189 189.6 223 181.2 287 153.5 348 109.3
green forage for
haying
Annual grass 31 646 91.7 18 620 59.1 16 364 27.2 14 098 30.5 11 465 40.0
Perennial grass 3 211 70.0 3 532 41.0 2 336 43.9 2 678 40.4 2 960 58.2
of the current
year
Old perennial
grass for hay
for green fodder 67 227 52.8 55 221 36.8 43 390 45.0 60 602 40.0 45 209 32.9

for seeds: 309 88.2 1 226 73.4 436 104.4 15 688 87.3 1 278 57.9
sainfoin 144 4.1 41 4.9 223 4.1 126 5.6 60 4.2
alfalfa 59 0.5 89 7.2 107 4.3 - - - -
Natural
grasslands
haying 139 384 26.7 134 609 21.3 132 239 22.7 107 728 22.8 108 525 19.5
green fodder 105 75.2 1 036 54.4 903 40.3 5 872 46.7 1 828 42.6
Fruits and soft-
fruits
top fruits 19 544 50.4 15 293 37.5 12 040 52.7 11 968 40.2 12 166 39.0
stone fruits 14 213 44.4 9 117 58.9 9 053 71.6 9 992 39.9 9 764 87.1
nuts 209 14.0 233 17.0 248 26.8 273 30.1 492 36.2
subtropical 135 33.5 256 66.6 254 95.3 219 87.5 177 80.2
soft fruits 38 56.6 42 16.1 9 102.7 22 86.6 197 20.4
grape 21 850 73.1 17 758 61.4 15 785 69.4 15 768 74.7 15 027 78.0
Country Pasture/Forage Resource Profile 15

and converted into arable lands. Currently there are 15000ha of vineyards in the country. The average
yield varies from 61 to 78 quintals/ha.
The most common stone fruits are: apricot, cherry, sweet cherry, plum, etc. Of the standard tree fruits
the following are worth mentioning: apple, pear and quince. In the lowlands (Megri, Noyemberyan,
Ijevan) a few subtropical crops are common in small areas, like fig, pomegranate and others. The list of
the crop types is illustrated in the Table 1.

Fodder crops
One of the major preconditions for the development of livestock breeding and animal production is the
expansion of the fodder base. In this respect sowing of fodder is very essential. Fodder is divided into
two groups: fodder received from annual crops and fodder from perennial crops.
Among annual fodder crops, maize, fodder-beet, swede, oats, vetch, pea, sunflower, etc. are grown.
Sunflower and maize are mainly for silage. Apart from silage, maize is cultivated for grain and green
fodder. The yield of green maize varies from 109.3 to 189.6quintals/ha, while the grain yield is from
22.3 to 46.2quintals/ha. Livestock not herded in remote pastures, especially milk cows, together with
those grazing in nearby pastures, are given additional green fodder.
Oats, vetch and pea are sown mixed (vetch + oat, pea + oat) as green fodder. Some farms use oats
for silage. The average yield varies from 27.2 to 97.1 quintals/ha. With the expansion of agriculture,
the yield is decreasing from year to year. Edible roots are grown for milk cows. The average yield is
141.7246.8quintals/ha. For milk cows in the early spring in the Ararat valley edza (rape Brassica
napus) is cultivated.
Basic perennial fodder crops are Medicago sativa, Onobrychis viciifolia, Trifolium pratense, Dactylis
glomerata, Festuca pratensis and Phleum pratense. Legumes are sown both separately and mixed with
grasses, while grasses are sown mixed. In lowlands, where the crops get heat and water, the basic crop
is lucerne, which is harvested 45times in the vegetation period and from 1 ha 150160quintals of
hay are obtained. In arid non-irrigated regions sainfoin is cultivated; in the high mountainous regions,
sainfoin and clover. The hay is used for the winter/cattle-shed period. The average yield is 32.9 to
52.8quintals/ha.
In Soviet times, along with seed production, fodder seed production was also developed. There were
special farms involved in seed production as their major activity. In general Armenia provided itself with
seeds and seedlings; nevertheless a certain amount, especially legume seeds, was imported from other former
Soviet Republics. After privatization all the seed producing farms collapsed. Only a few private farms began
producing lucerne and sainfoin seeds. In recent years lucerne seed has been produced in Armenia. The price of
imported seed is rather high and most farmers cannot afford it. This has led to the reduction of areas sown to
fodder crops. Currently major fodder sources maintained are natural grasslands and pastures.

Livestock-raising: Livestock is a leading branch of Armenian agriculture, people are involved in it in all
the villages. In the Ararat valley and suburban areas dairying is especially developed. In the mountains
and foothills, along with cattle breeding, sheep rearing is also developed. Pig keeping is developed in the
mountain forest zone; however, at present there is new growth in pig breeding, and poultry keeping is
being developed in many places. Currently horse breeding is acquiring a special importance, explained
by the lack of small-scale machinery and the high cost of fuel.
In the first two decades after the establishment of the Soviet command economy there was a
considerable decrease in the number of cattle. This became even more marked during the Second
World War. Later, up to 1985, increases in poultry and animal stock were quite tangible. This was
conditioned by the tendency for stock-rearing to become more industrialized. Due to the application
of improved feeding and breeding, animal pedigrees were radically improved; new breeds with a
high production capacity were created, such as Caucasian brown cattle, fine wool and semi-fine
wool sheep, Yerevanian hens, Armenian pigs, Marder rabbits and semi-coarse-haired sheep types.
In Armenia the highest numbers of animal stock were reported for 1985.
In 1991 the number of stock fell because of poor marketing. The drastic decrease in animal numbers
since 1985 (except for horses) is explained by irregular, arbitrary and poorly managed reforms. Not only did
animal numbers fall (Table 2), but at the same time animal production (Table3) was substantially reduced and
16 Country Pasture/Forage Resource Profile

breed improvement ground to a halt. Table 2. Animal numbers (head-count in thousands): selected
While in 1985 gross milk production years 19852005
was 544 800 tonnes, meat (slaughter Years Cattle Pig Small Horse Poultry
ruminants
weight) production 144 000 tonnes; Total of which,
number
wool (actual net weight) 4524tonnes of cows
and there were 570 800 000 eggs, 1985 874.6 326.0 322.1 1968.9 4.5 12 130.9
in 19971998 milk production fell 1990 566.5 251.1 224.4 1023.0 6.5 3 400
to 425 000434 500 tonnes, meat 1995 503.7 276.0 82.3 636.0 12.1 2 900
50 10052 100 tonnes and wool 1996 507.5 276.8 79.6 603.7 12.5 2 900
13091279tonnes, respectively (with 1997 509.6 277.8 54.3 521.1 13.2 2 900
no figures available for eggs). By 2004 1998 465.8 256.0 56.9 546.3 12.7 2 900
fresh milk production had increased 1999 469.3 256.2 86.2 546.3 12.0 3 190
to 535 831 tonnes, meat production 2000 478.7 252.1 70.6 548.6 11.5 4 255
to 54 027 tonnes while wool had 2001 497.3 264.9 68.9 540.0 11.4 3 975

declined further to 1200tonnes. 2002 514.2 270.1 97.9 592.1 12.1 3 120

The only scientifically justifiable 2003 535.8 277.0 111.0 602.6 12.2 3 605
2004 565.8 303.0 85.4 628.5 12.5 3830
way to increase the production of these
2005 573.3 280.0 89.1 603.3 12.0 3699
products is intensification of livestock
FAOSTAT, 2006
breeding and fodder production.
Table 3. Livestock production and imports, selected years 19852005
Item 1985 1990 1995 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Beef and veal prod. (,000 mt) n.r. n.r. 29.7 30.9 29.4 29.6 29.9 33.4 30.0
Total meat prod. (,000 mt) n.r. n.r. 49.2 49.5 48.6 50.3 53.1 54.0 51.2
Cow milk prod. (,000 mt) n.r. n.r. 418.3 440.3 450.8 475.1 498.1 535.8 548.0
Wool prod. (,000 mt) n.r. n.r. 1.5 1.3 1.1 1.1 1.2 1.2 1.0
Cattle imports (head) n.r. n.r. 0 0 14 14 1 4 n.r
Beef and veal imports (,000 mt) n.r. n.r. 5.4 6.4 7.2 6.7 18.5 10.9 n.r
Total meat imports (,000 mt) n.r. n.r. 8.4 26.0 25.4 25.2 35.8 31.1 n.r.
Milk equivalent imports (mill. mt) n.r. n.r. 106.5 36.0 35.5 39.1 44.4 54.0 n.r.

Source: FAO STAT 2006

n.r. = no record;

5. THE PASTURE RESOURCE

The total grazing land area is 832 922 ha (see Table 4), of which grasslands occupy 138 904 ha and
pastures 694015ha. All the grasslands are of the mountain type. A great diversity of climatic conditions
has created vertical transition of the vegetation. Pastures and grasslands are zonally allocated in semi-
desert, steppe, steppe-meadow, post-forest, subalpine and alpine zones. Within each zone there are also
azonal grazing lands (such as swamps with excessive moisture), their total area being about 8700ha.
Predominant zonal types of grasslands are
Table 4. Zonal distribution of natural grazing lands
of Armenia (,000 ha)
subalpine ones. They comprise about 37% of
total grassland, then come post-forest at 23%,
Natural zone Total area including
of grazing steppe-meadow 22%, etc.
lands grasslands pastures
Predominant zonal types of pastures are again
Semi-desert 36.0 0.6 35.4
subalpine meadows. They occupy about 33%
Steppe 99.2 24.4 74.8 of the total pasture area. These are followed
Steppe-meadow 169.3 30.6 138.7 by steppe-meadows (20%), alpine (18%), post-
Cleared forest 128.4 31.9 96.5 forest (14%), steppe (11%) and semi-desert (5%).
Subalpine 277.8 51.4 226.4 The typological composition of grasslands and
Alpine 122.2 - 122.2 pastures is extremely diverse. It is conditioned
Total 832.9 138.9 694.0 by vertical zonality. The formation of natural
Country Pasture/Forage Resource Profile 17

mountain grasslands and their vertical location is influenced by the relief, the altitude and slope steepness,
shape and exposure. A significant impact on changes in highland vegetation is caused by human interference:
grazing, mowing, fodder production, irrigation and other practices have altered the nature of grassland and
pasture vegetation to such an extent that currently there is no way to tell indigenous types from secondary
ones. Numerous highland bio-climatic factors creating a vertical zonality for vegetation develop a great
diversity of natural types of grass lands and pastures.

Semi-desert rangelands occupy the Ararat valley and the enclosed foothill plains. They can be
encountered on a small scale in other regions as well at an altitude of 5001 300 m. This zone is
characterized by an insignificant precipitation level (200300mm), an uneven seasonal distribution of
the latter, high temperatures in summer and low in winter, thus preventing the vegetation from fully
exploiting the potential soil fertility. This results in the fact that semi-desert vegetation is not dense. The
vegetation is represented by two major divergent ecological types: xerophytes (Chondrilla, Hordeum
crinitum, Kochia, Euphorbia marschalliana, Astragalus, Bromus inermis, Androsace, Festuca sulcata,
etc.) and ephemerals (Bromus tectorum, Bromus squarrosum). In areas where highly saline soils
solonetz and solonchak are formed, the vegetation is represented by halophytes.
The basic vegetation is Artemisia, turf grasses (Bromus tectorum, Bromus squarrosum, Hordeum
crinitum, Festuca sulcata) and ephemeroids (Poa bulbosa, Chenopodium humile, Carex stenophilla).
Semi-deserts are mainly used for grazing and serve as spring, autumn and winter pastures for sheep. The
total area is over 36000ha.

Steppe lands occupy a substantial territory at altitudes between 1000 to 1500m and sometimes up to
1800m. The relief of this zone is extremely varied: gentle slopes, plateaus, valleys, as well as steep and
abrupt slopes can be encountered. The climate is typically dry and warm.
Among steppe groups dry-steppe lands and genuine steppe can be identified. Turf grasses are
predominant in the vegetation of dry steppes. Abundance of ephemerals in spring grass cover is a
characteristic feature of dry-steppe groupings. The grass is typically low, sparse, of pasture type. As a
rule the soil is very stony and compacted, less melkozem with low capacity, brown or chestnut. The total
area of dry-steppe groupings comprises 22100ha.
Grazing lands on indigenous steppes occupy extended territories at an altitude of 1200 to 1500m,
sometimes up to 1800m. They appear on plateaus with well developed and high capacity melkozem
soil, also on steep and slight slopes; this resulting in diverse and vari-coloured vegetation types. Steppe
groupings are characterized by highly developed turf-formation processes, and extensive development
of mixed grass and legumes; in spring, ephemerals are more or less abundant. Nevertheless turf grasses
predominate, affecting the appearance of steppes at the end of summer and the beginning of winter. The
total area of steppe groupings comprises about 77100ha.

Steppe-meadows occupy considerable areas at altitudes between 1 5001 800 m, sometimes up to

2200m and more. The climate of this zone is distinguished by a comparatively damp and less warm
summer, and more equal distribution of precipitation levels in the vegetation period. In summer there is
frequent hail. The frost-free period lasts for 44.5 months. Steppe-meadow vegetation creates a clearly
defined zone in almost all mountainous terrains. It is more vivid in southern-facing slopes but it can also
be encountered on slopes with other exposures. Steppe meadows are particularly developed on slighter
slopes, sometimes they emerge on plateaus with almost flat relief. The total area of steppe-meadow
groupings is about 169300ha.

Cleared-forest grazing lands are encountered predominantly under gentle relief, on flat and gently
sloping areas, in regions distinguished by intersecting relief and often on large steep slopes. The grass
cover is dense, with different tiers, comprising both meadow species (Rumex acetosa, Cephalaria
tatarica, Agrostis vulgaris, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium ambiguum, Poa pratensis, Koeleria gracilis,
Dactylis glomerata, Phleum pratense, etc.) and forest species (Vicia balansae, Deschampsia caespitosa,
Arrhenatherum elatius, Agrostis planifolia, Agropyron caninum, Festuca gigantea, etc.). Meadow
species are typically predominant. Sometimes meadow species are mixed with forest shrubs or grass.
18 Country Pasture/Forage Resource Profile

Forest trees: Quercus, Fagus, Carpinus, Tilia, Acer, Ulmus, Fraxinus, Carpinus orientalis, birch
Betula, Pinus, Juniperus, etc. Nevertheless, beech, oak and hornbeam can be met in almost all types of
cleared -forest grasslands. The total area comprises 128400ha.

Subalpine grazing lands occupy a considerable territory and are the major lands in the country used
as grasslands and pastures. Both are used in all seasons except winter. It should be mentioned that the
tall vegetation (Phleum pratense, Dactylis glomerata, Festuca pratensis, etc.) is used in summer for
hay, while the short vegetation (Festuca ovina, Bromus inermis, Koeleria, Taraxacum, etc.) is used from
spring till autumn for grazing.
The subalpine zone represents a clearly defined zone at an altitude of 2 2002 800 m. The relief
of this zone is diverse: slight and steep slopes, often abrupt ones, can be encountered. The climate
is montane, the average annual temperature fluctuates from 5 to 2 and below. Annual precipitation
level is 800900mm. The highest levels of rainfall are observed in early summer and late spring. The
vegetation is very rich and diverse, which permits the distinction of a great number of diverse species of
vegetation groupings. This results in the diversity of pasture land types used as grasslands and pastures.
The species of all vegetation groups within the given zone are affected by human interference fodder
production and grazing. This has resulted in the emergence and successful growth of many vegetation
types, which are actually alien to this mountain range, and has made the diverse vegetation of this area
even more complex. The composition by type of subalpine hay meadows is very rich; many vegetation
groups comprise 120130 and more species. The major turf-forming and the most predominant plants
are grasses. The vegetation of subalpine hay meadows is typically rather tall. The soil cover is complete
with a high level of sod. The total area is 277800ha.

Alpine pastures occupy a substantial area and create a clearly defined zone in nearly all areas at altitudes
of 2700 to 3500 m. The relief is diverse: along with vast valleys and highland plateaus, multiple steep
slopes of various exposures, cliffs and parent rocks can be encountered. Vast areas on steep slopes are
occupied by talus (stony scarps) and embankments. Typical alpine meadows expand only on slopes and
plateaus covered by more or less melkozem soil of mountain meadow type. Alpine vegetation, due to
the damp climatic conditions, is low and dense (although somewhat patchy in places) and this is why the
upper melkozem layer of mountain meadow soil appears to be densely tied, bound by numerous clusters
of roots and secondary tufts. There are few annuals in the alpine zone. Most perennials are distinguished
by a fast growing rate. They manage to blossom and fruit in a very short vegetation period, having
sprouted up during the winter with green leaves.
Considered from a floristic point of view alpine vegetation is comparatively poor in species; however
it is rich in the groups composing it. This diversity is intensified by regular grazing. The latter has
resulted in modification of the appearance of alpine meadows and in the emergence of secondary type
vegetation. Because of characteristic features, alpine meadows are purely pasture. Grasses are the most
prevailing plants. The height of the grass is low 20 to 25cm for rich species. Soil cover is complete.
The total area comprises 122200ha.

The current state of pastures

Pastures in Armenia are not privatized. Village pastures still remain. Their use is not regulated and they
are overgrazed. Almost all the livestock graze in these pastures starting from early spring to late autumn.
This has led to the natural cover becoming thinner and infested with weeds (sometimes 5060% of the
area is weed infested). The pastures are trampled, eroded down to a lower level, with low productivity.
The livestock remain underfed. A few pastures (part of the state fund) have remained under regional
agricultural control. Not all the farmers can afford to drive their animal to summer camps. The latter
are rented out to farmers and individuals willing to use them. Nevertheless, these pastures are also used
non-systematically. No grazing schedule for pasture utilization is ever pursued and no pasture rotation
is established. These areas are also weed infested and crushed, and in some places, especially on slopes,
eroded and thinned. Fertility is rather low.
Country Pasture/Forage Resource Profile 19

Pasture improvement and its proper utilization

For the last 1520 years no pasture improvement or control measures have been undertaken, relating
to its adequate utilization and grazing schedules. As a function of its non-systemized and irrational use
and overgrazing, almost all the pasture of the country appears to be degraded to various extents with
low fertility. The pasture is covered by weeds, that sometimes comprise 6070% of natural cover. For
pasture rehabilitation and the improvement of its vegetation, as well as for increasing its fertility level,
the following sets of measures should be carried out.

Cultural measures. A substantial area of pastures, especially in the forest zone, is covered by low forest
and shrubs. Often due to inadequate utilization tussocks appear. Shrubs and tussocks decrease the useful
area, reduce the yield and complicate the grazing and movement of the livestock. Such pastures need to
be brought into a proper cultural state: the shrubs cleared, and tussocks, stones and litter (the remnants
of plants not eaten by animals remain and the following year they form a litter layer that impedes the
reproduction of the plants) removed. The removal of stones can expand the useful area by more than
1020% and can increase land productivity. However, the pastures on mountain slopes, gullies and
washes should not be entirely cleaned up, since in such places shrubs and stones are protecting the slopes
from erosion. Thus, on dry areas a complete removal of shrubs may undermine the water regime, and
dry up the soil and the grass during the hot summer period.
Pastures covered by tussocks often occupy large areas. The emergence of tussocks in pastures is
caused by various factors, such as being trampled by livestock in the case of excessive grazing on a
damp soil; the emergence of dense patterns of shrubs; the existence of shrews, etc. The size of tussocks
is 2540cm and more, the length is 1016cm. It would be appropriate to destroy them separately, if the
territory they occupy exceeds 30% of the terrain. If it is more than that, then radical treatment is required.
Each year the yield takes out a considerable amount of nutrients from the soil (nitrogen, phosphorus,
potassium, calcium, etc.) and the latter is gradually impoverished. Along with this the grass yield is also
reduced. Provided fertilizers were regularly applied, it would be possible to achieve a higher yield and to
improve the vegetation in a short period of time. The best time for applying fertilizers is in early spring,
when the soil contains a sufficient amount of moisture.
One basic way to improve the vegetation and achieve better quality feed is the eradication of weeds.
They grow quickly supplanting fodder grass and noticeably diminishing grass quality. Fertilization and
the organization of adequate grazing schedules are very effective weed control measures. In certain
cases it is possible to decrease greatly the amount of weeds by chemical weeding through herbicides. In
certain situations the best treatment against intense infestation by the worse weeds is a deep ploughing
and cleaning up of cut weeds.
On thinned areas, in addition to the removal of tussocks, shrubs and stones, it is necessary to sow seeds
of valuable meadow grass. A tangible effect can be achieved by sowing seeds picked from plants on the
same plot. In order to get the highest quality fodder it is necessary to use many legumes while sowing,
especially white clover (creeping), which is very common in all pasture zones. Pasture improvement
measures can be highly effective if they are followed by further natural resource management practices.

Natural resource management measures. Pastures and fodder are especially significant for the
development of animal production. Due to the high proportion of animal feed derived from pastures the
rational utilization of pastures is becoming an important issue. The role of pastures and pasture fodder
is increasing due to the extension of the pasture period. In northwest and southeast Armenia it lasts for
78 and sometimes even 1011 months. Considering the important role of pasture grazing, the problem
of undertaking organizational and management measures acquires a special urgency. The adequate
utilization of pastures and grasslands increases their productivity greatly.
Livestock grazing also has tangible effects on soil and vegetation. Grazing is conducive to changes in
the vegetation affecting the quantity and quality of species. In the case of inadequate utilization of pastures
a number of less valuable species emerge, while fertility levels decline. It can be inferred from the above
that the proper utilization of pastures will sharply decrease or eradicate the damage caused by livestock.
20 Country Pasture/Forage Resource Profile

Grazing time,duration and the appropriate utilization of pastures are important. The establishment
of proper grazing schedules, respecting the starting and closing times, are of the utmost importance in
their effect on pasture grass cover. If grazing takes place too early or too late, the soil may becomes
impacted, thus impeding the further development of plants, affecting also the quality of the grass and soil
fertility. This may result in their early degradation. Early grazing sharply impedes the normal process of
accumulation and consumption of nutrients by the plants. However, grazing should not take place too
late either since the fodder value of the grass declines with the age of the pasture.
Cessation of grazing in autumn is also very important. In cases when pasture grazing is caried on late
in the autumn the grass productivity may be affected in succeeding years.
It would be appropriate to start spring grazing for the livestock 1520 days after the plants start
growing and to stop it 2530 days before the end of the vegetation period.
For the appropriate organization of livestock grazing it is necessary to be well aware of pasture
capacity, i.e. to define how many head can be grazed per hectare of land in the course of the pasture
grazing period.
Further, the grazing time, appropriate pasture grazing techniques, the grazing schedule, pasture
rotation, etc. are also very important in pasture utilization and management.

6. OPPORTUNITIES FOR IMPROVEMENT OF FODDER RESOURCES

For the promotion of agricultural growth, the improvement and expansion of agricultural production and
the efficient utilization of pastures and grasslands, it is necessary:
1. to consolidate minor and scattered individual farms within communes and other similar unions;
the expansion of plots would permit mechanization of tillage;
2. to sow more land under traditional crops: grains, legumes, some vegetables, industrial crops, etc.;
3. to resume seed production farms/nurseries for those crops that are of major importance for the
country;
4. to initiate crop rotation systems in large farms for intensifying agricultural production;
5. to extend fodder crops by using more arable land for fodder crop production and to apply fodder
crop rotation systems especially on large farms;
6. to make remote summer pastures available to livestock farmers on a long-term basis, so that they
have an incentive to carry out improvement activities there;
7. to expand natural grasslands with pastures where valuable fodders (legumes) grow, in order to
provide the animals with complete feed in the cattle-shed period;
8. for a period of 12 years to stop using worn-out pastures, eroded to a medium extent and covered
by plants of low nutritional value in order to give them a rest so as to permit rehabilitation of the
vegetation through self-regeneration; and then to fertilize that areas thereafter;
9. to cultivate high-protein legumes in order to get fodder with high nutritional value;
10. to apply better management and efficient utilization systems by keeping appropriate grazing
periods, grazing schedules, applying pasture rotation schemes, etc.;
11. to abandon early spring grazing in natural grasslands in order to maintain the natural cover in a
good state for a longer period;
12. to conduct regular weed control activities to restrict their expansion.

7. RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ORGANIZATIONS AND

PERSONNEL

1. Crop Cultivation and Crop Protection Centre.

Director Hrachik Hovsepyan.
Country Pasture/Forage Resource Profile 21

Priority research:
agrotechnical problems of crop cultivation (potato, grain crops, etc.)
fodder crop selection and seed production (alfalfa, sainfoin, etc.)
crop treatment and pest control
Address: Isi- Le-Mulino 1str., Echmiadzin, Armavir region, RA
Tel.: (374-031) 5-34-54

2. Research Centre for Pedology, Agro-Chemistry and Amelioration

Director Hunan Khazaryan
Priority research:
soil genesis and classification
anti-erosion activities
agrochemical characteristics of soil and their nourishment by nutrients: nitrogen, phosphorus,
potassium, calcium, etc.
dosage, time and method of applying fertilizers in the crop cultivation process (mainly grain-crops,
alfalfa, sainfoin)
amelioration and desalination of soil and tillage issues
Address; Isakov str.24, Yerevan, RA
Tel.: (374-1) 77-88-90

3. Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Research Centre

Director Kim Abelyan
Priority research:
selection of cattle and small ruminants
development of measures against livestock diseases
fodder crop cultivation techniques
pasture and grassland improvement and their appropriate utilization
Address: Hubarashen 2, Yerevan, RA
Tel.: (374-1) 47-34-00

4. Research Centre for Economy and Agricultural Science

Director Sergey Khazaryan
Priority research:
development of agricultural management systems in farms nationwide
Address: Furmanov str.39a, Yerevan, RA
Tel.: (374-1) 23-45-28; 23-44-48

5. Research Station for Bee-keeping (Apiculture)

Director Rafik Harutyunyan
Research activities: selection and introduction of new bee types and high honey quality
Address: Aringe, Kotayk region, RA
Tel.: (374-1) 62-66-52

6. Armenian Academy of Agriculture

Dean Arshaluys Tarverdyan
Activities:
1. Training of
highly qualified professionals in all agricultural and agricultural economy areas
specialists in dairy, meat, leather, wine and other production areas
agricultural engineers
engineering technologists for bakery and pastry products
forest and forest park specialists
geneticists and breeders
22 Country Pasture/Forage Resource Profile

zological technicians and veterinary specialists

2. involvement in scientific researches in all the areas of agricultural production and animal selection
activities
Address: Teryan str.74, Yerevan, RA
Tel.: (374-1) 52-45-41
Fax: (374-1) 151-930
E-mail: agacad@USDA.am

8. REFERENCES
The Atlas of the Armenian SSR. (1961). Yerevan-Moscow. (in Armenian).
R.A.Edilyan and G.P.Petrosyan, eds. (1976). The Soils of Armenian SSR. Yerevan. (in Russian)
Andreev N.G. (1985). Meadow Cultivation. Yerevan. (in Armenian)
Matevossyan A.A., Gyulkhasyan M.A. (2000). Plant Cultivation. Yerevan. (in Armenian)
The Reports of Armenian Ministry of Agriculture on Plant Cultivation and Livestock-breeding on 19862000.
Yerevan, Republic of Armenia. (in Armenian)

9. CONTACTS

Authors: The profile was prepared in MayJuly 2001 by the Professor of the Armenian Academy of
Agriculture Dr. Robert Tumanyan who will update it from time to time. He is a specialist in fodder
production, particularly of hay meadows and pastures, on which he has been working for about 39 years.
He has authored 38 scientific works on fodder production, pasture and grassland improvement.
Address: Tigran Mets str.13, apt.5,Yerevan, Armenia 375010
E-mail: agacad@USDA.am

The section on livestock raising and breeding was compiled by the Head of the Department of Private
Livestock Breeding of the Armenian Academy of Agriculture, Prof. Shavik Nersesyan. He is an author
of 75 scientific works on livestock breeding, particularly cattle breeding and horse-breeding in Armenia.
Address: Arabkir str.21, apt.35, Yerevan, Armenia 375051
E-mail: agacad@USDA.am
Translator: Karine Avagyan
Address: Lvovyan 19str., apt.74, Yerevan, Armenia
E-mail: cvagian@yahoo.com

[The profile was edited by J.M. Suttie and S.G. Reynolds in September 2001 and slightly modified by
S.G. Reynolds in October 2006.]