Viva-MTS: 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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Viva-MTS (MTS Armenia CJSC) is Armenia’s leading telecommunications operator, having the widest network reach and spreading a wide range of Voice and Data services all across Armenia. Having the best of the Armenian people at heart since its launch on 1st July 2005 and in a short period of time Viva-MTS has managed to build a nationwide network and a considerable customer base. Viva-MTS drives innovation and aims at always being at the forefront of any development serving the Armenian mobile communications market. The company follows the guidance provided by ISO 26000 (International Standard of Social Responsibility), ISO/IEC 27001:2013 (Information Security Management System) and ISO 37001 (International anti-bribery management systems standard). For more information, visit www.mts.am.
Eco villages network includes selected intentional or traditional communities throughout Armenia, that are consciously designed through locally owned, participatory processes to regenerate their social, cultural, economic and natural environments. The core idea behind the whole concept of the ecovillages is integrating the four dimensions of sustainability – ecological, economic, cultural and social – through integral, participatory design. The project is a new format of the long-term cooperation between the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC), VivaCell-MTS and the Global Ecovillages Network (GEN) in the field of environmental protection and sustainable use of natural resources.
The Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets (FPWC) was founded in Y2002. FPWC is a member organization of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) since Y2012. FPWC’s mission is to publicize the unique natural heritage of Armenia and the importance of biodiversity conservation, environmental issues and the importance of preserving nature. We aim to reduce human and wildlife conflict and its consequences to reduce the risks of endangered species of flora and fauna. Biodiversity conservation, environmental education, community development and public awareness are the main directions of our activities.
