The status and potential of organic agriculture in Armenia: A background document for the Greening Economies in the Eastern Neighbourhood (EaP-GREEN) partnership programme

Conditions in Armenia bode well for organic production and the country already produces marketable organic products with competitive advantages. If appropriately branded, the sector can set premium prices for speciality products. In this way, locally produced organic food could be an important element in attaining the country’s food and agricultural strategies. As stated earlier, most Armenian farmers use a minimum amount of synthetic inputs, so a transition to organic agriculture is economically viable, and will be a key stepping stone for the country’s broader transformation to a Green Economy. Organic production is also more resilient to climatic shocks and reduces the vulnerability of soils to erosion and degradation of natural capital. It boosts biodiversity, supports critical ecosystem services, and preserves traditional landscapes that could draw ecotourists, increasing jobs and contributing to Armenia’s economic growth.