Technological support to farmers: Electric fences in the border village of Vahan

The development of the village derives from the interests of the city, and the introduction of new technologies contributes to reducing concerns and to bridging the development gap between the capital and the regions. Residents of the remote regions (marzes), especially border guard residents know this pretty well. It is not easy to engage in animal husbandry in the village of Vahan of Gegharkunik marz. The geographical location of the village imposes its own challenges. Leaving cattle on the pasture carries risks because if they cross the state border, it becomes impossible to retrieve them. To avoid all this, the farmers either have to keep an eye on the animals all day, or at a considerable amount of money, hire workers who will take them to the pasture.

Farmer Pavel Balyan calculated the amount of material damage caused to him over the years. On an annual basis, it amounts to half a million drams. In an effort to promote the adoption of new technologies in regions, Viva-MTS and the Foundation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets supported the farmer in a joint program: his concerns have now been relieved. There were no losses and the animals no longer require a 24-hour tending. Monitoring the cattle is carried out with the help of electric fences.

“I suffered a loss of up to 500,000 drams a year, but thanks to this technology, I will no longer have to worry about that. I've lost six cows over the years, one cow in the last year. One of them has even crossed the border. The electric fence is a great relief. First, the cattle no longer go to the neighbor's field, they remain in the same area. When I come to the pasture, I do not have to search for lost cattle or worry about whether they’ve crossed the border or become prey for wolves. There was a worker, I had to pay that person to monitor my cattle. I have 10 calves and I would have to spend 30,000 drams per month; now I do not need it. Now the electric fence is taking care of the livestock, and I can do other things freely. The animals would touch the fence only to feel the current shock them, forcing them to step back. Now they have learned that it hurts and do not even come close to the wire anymore," Pavel Balyan shared.

An electric fence works with high voltage and low amperage. As a result, the animals are not physically harmed, but get unpleasant experience, so, they no longer approach the fenced areas. Farmers say the joint program of Viva-MTS and the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets are effective. The real result of this is to practice animal husbandry without losing animals. The mobility of electric fences allows to change the pasture of the animals if needed.

Viva-MTS has consistently demonstrated its commitment to supporting the village since 2008 when there was a necessity to construct a gas pipeline there. Later in 2014, a solar water heater was installed in the village kindergarten in collaboration with the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC). In 2015 and 2016, works were carried out to ensure lighting of the village. A 94-bulb LED exterior lighting system was installed. As a result, about 2700-meter area was provided with lighting.

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