New irrigation system commissioned in Sotk village of Gegharkunik Province

A new irrigation system has been commissioned in Sotk village of the Vardenis community in Gegharkunik Province.

The ceremony was attended by Gegharkunik Governor Karen Sargsyan, Vardenis Mayor Aharon Khachatryan, Deputy Governor Vahan Zaroyan, World Food Programme Country Director in Armenia Leila Meliouh, representatives of the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as local residents and guests.

The project was implemented with the joint support of the United Nations World Food Programme, the U.S.-based non-governmental organization “Hayk for Our Heroes,” and the Vardenis municipality.

The project had a contractual value of 20.4 million drams. As part of its implementation, a 6.2-kilometer irrigation pipeline and a reservoir with a capacity of 4,400 cubic meters were constructed.

Around 160 hectares of farmland in Sotk now have uninterrupted irrigation, creating favorable conditions for agricultural development, increased yields and the strengthening of local farms.

Vardenis Mayor Aharon Khachatryan delivered welcoming remarks, noting that in border communities such as Sotk, every family and every child strengthens the country’s border through their presence and work. He said attention and care toward these communities should therefore be constant and consistent.

“On behalf of myself and the Vardenis community, I thank Gegharkunik Governor Karen Sargsyan, the World Food Programme’s Armenia Office and the ‘Hayk for Our Heroes’ charitable non-governmental organization,” the mayor said.

At the end of the event, Khachatryan presented certificates of appreciation and letters of thanks to the partners who contributed to implementing the project, emphasizing their work, cooperation and support.

A similar project will be implemented in Geghamasar village of the Vardenis community in the near future.