Food security of the population is one of the main challenges of the 21st century, which, due to the events of recent years (Artsakh war, pandemic, Russian-Ukrainian conflict, sanctions, export restrictions) and their consequences, has become more acute. The stability of the grain sector in the country is of particular importance from the point of view of improving the food security in Armenia. Based on the study of international practice of state support for agricultural production, the results of analysis on the effectiveness of the state support tools traditionally used in different countries, as well as evaluating the state support for the development of grain production in RA, we have developed a model of state regulation of grain production, where the application of a number of realistic methods and measures is emphasized. The results of the studies document that, despite the government’s efforts to expand grain production, the grain sown areas are decreasing year by year, yield growth is not ensured, and the total growth is decreasing. Studying the international experience of state support for agricultural production, analyzing the results of the effectiveness of the state support tools traditionally used in different countries, as well as evaluating the state support for the development of grain production in RA for 2010-2021, we propose to revise the state regulation tools. In particular, to create a grain commission, form a guarantee and collateral price institute, set grain production and distribution quantities, strengthen contractual relations, form a commodity credit company and a grain price stabilization fund, apply commodity intervention, as well as promote economy-infrastructure intervention. We believe that the mentioned fundamental measures will contribute to the prospective development of grain production, ensure realistic results in the medium term, strengthen the cooperation between the state, production and science, as well as increase the self-sufficiency level of grain and, most importantly, will contribute to ensuring the food security of the Republic of Armenia.

In recent years, urban green plantings have been significantly reduced in Yerevan; at the same time, due to geoplastic changes, scattered landscapes and rock walls have appeared, which significantly spoil the beautiful appearance of the capital. Therefore, there is a need to implement vertical landscaping. For vertical greening in residential areas, woody lianas are usually used, and in some cases, also grassy lianas and ampelous flowers. In order to improve and green the landscapes, we carried out ecological and biological research on a route basis, carried out appropriate geodetic measurements, and then prepared phytoplans and estimates for greening of some areas and landscapes. In the autumn of 2022, Yerevan Municipality “Greening and Environmental Protection” Community Non­Commercial Organization (“GEP” CNCO) has planted ivy, campsis, and creepers on both sides of the tunnel leading to Saralanj at the beginning of Myasnikyan Avenue (in an area of 70 square meters), due to which the roadside areas will turn into green, blooming landscapes. The selection of lianas was made according to the latter’s dendrocirculation indicators, decorative features and ecological flexibility. In the coming years, “Greening and Environmental Protection” CNCO will carry out vertical greening according to the above principle in similar landscapes of Myasnikyan Avenue, as well as Saralanj and Tsitsernakaberd highways (in the sections, that have undergone geoplastic change), turning the mentioned areas into green and blooming landscapes.

The aim of the work is to study the growing dynamics of total sugars, acids and phenolic compounds (flavonoids, anthocyanins) in Sev Areni grape berries in conditions of organic farming depending on the buds’ load rate. The studies were conducted in 2020-2021. The vineyard belonging to “Hin Areni” CJSC, established in 2007-2008, is located in the Areni community of Vayots Dzor marz, at an altitude of 1200 m above sea level. At the start of the trials, 5 hectares of the garden (10 ha) were cultivated with organic methods. The experiments were carried out in four replications through the method of Lazarevskiy including 15 vines in each option. The dynamics of berry ripening was studied according to vine load. Sugar content (refractometric method), titratable acidity (using OIV-MA-AS313-01 method), pH, total phenolic content of fruit juice was determined three times. According to study results, the amount of flavonoids and anthocyanins changes during grape ripening, depending on the vine load. Along with the grapes maturation, sugar content of the fruit juice increases, the acidity decreases. However, parallel to the increase in vine load, the sugar content decreases. In the option of 50 bud load the sugar content decreases. The harvested yield lags behind the option of 30-40 bud load in its qualitative properties. Thus, it is not recommended to use high bud loading option in the organic farming. Based on the study results, it is recommended to use 30-40 bud vine loads of Sev Areni variety in conditions of vineyards organic farming.

In recent years, the use of probiotics has increased unprecedently, regardless of their origin and characteristics. In particular, the use of probiotics for nutritional and therapeutic purposes in infants and patients with a number of diseases (malignant neoplasms, diabetes, post-transplant period, etc.) needs reviews and clinical justification. Currently, in the production of dairy products, lactic acid bacteria (LAB) of intestinal origin are of particular interest, which is explained by the fact that the final target of probiotics is the intestine of an animal or a person. However, there is some skepticism about the efficacy of using human gut-derived LABs in dairy production. LABs are widespread in nature: exist in large quantities in plant residues, soil, human and animal intestines. LABs are widely used both in health care and agriculture, as well as in fisheries and fish production. A task was set up to study a series of biosafety indicators of yoghurts obtained from the Lpb. plantarum ZPZ, Lcb. rhamnosus str. Vahe.am, Lpb. plantarum K1-3, L. delbrueckii IAHAHI probiotic strains. Yoghurts produced with biosafety indicators corresponding to the risk of spreading antibiotic resistance in yoghurts, heavy metals and M1 aflatoxin content, as well as to international standards for microbiological indicators were obtained from new probiotics isolated from the intestinal microbiota of children (Lpb. plantarum ZPZ, Lcb. rhamnosus str. Vahe) and dairy products (Lpb. plantarum K1-3, L. delbrueckii IAHAHI). The results of our research prove that yoghurts obtained from lactic acid bacteria of different origins are harmless to health.

The increase of confectionery production volumes and expansion of product range are related to the development of technologies for new raw materials application and to the wide product range manufacture. According to the conducted investigations the rose­hip can be applied as a preventive and curative raw material. Upon the development of the mathematical model for rose­hip CO2 extraction regime parameters, the efficiency of new equipment application and extraction process has been proved. According to the conducted experiments, the maximum yield of carotenoid pigments in the solution is ensured at a relatively lower temperature of the solution. Therefore, the task was set to identify two dependencies: the yield of CO2­solution and the yield of the total amount of carotenoid pigments in that solution depending on the duration and temperature of the process. The optimal parameters of the dissolution process have been determined by the mathematical planning method. As a result of the mathematical modeling of the technological process of CO2­dissolution, it has been found out that the yield of the solution within the studied ultrasound frequencies ranges from 1.0­1.2, while the content of carotenoids in the solution is within 90­91.5 %. Moreover, it has been found out that the maximum values of the mentioned outputs are obtained at temperatures of +15...+22 0C. Thus, according to the research results, sweet brier (rose hips) can be used as a preventive medicine.

Aflatoxin contamination in cereals poses a significant food safety and public health issue worldwide. Cereals, including rice, are a staple food in the diet of the Armenian population. This study aimed to assess the potential health risks associated with the exposure to aflatoxin B1 mycotoxin through rice consumption among the population of Yerevan. The daily intake of aflatoxin B1 through the rice consumption was estimated for the adult population across all administrative regions. The margin of exposure (MOE) method was used to evaluate the health risks associated with aflatoxin B1 exposure, with values less than 10000 considered a public health concern. The results indicated that the MOE for aflatoxin B1 exposure through rice consumption among the Yerevan population was less than 10000, which indicates the public health concern. Even the amounts of aflatoxin B1 within permissible levels were found to be potentially risky for the health of the population. Moreover, the MOE method used in this study can be a useful tool for assessing the risks associated with other food contaminants and guiding the development of appropriate risk management strategies. Hence, this study emphasizes the need for ongoing monitoring of aflatoxin levels in cereals, to ensure the safety of the food supply and protect public health.

One of the current issues of small poultry farms is the prevalence of Eimeriosis infection (especially in floor housing conditions). The research activities were conducted throughout 2021-2022 years in the small rural poultry farms of some communities at the RA Armavir and Ararat marzes. Eimeria infection of chickens was identified on the basis of the results of laboratory tests performed throughout the year. Two species of Eimeria were detected: Eimeria acervulina and Eimeria tenella. Infected samples made up 36% of the overall examined ones. Heat and humidity are among the factors of external environment contributing to the Eimeria propagation. During the year, one or two outbreaks of epidemic nature of invasion may be recorded. The intensity of invasion in Armavir and Ararat marzes was 33 % and 39 %, respectively. Weather conditions favor the preservation and sporulation of Eimeria oocysts in the outdoor environment, leading to spring outbreaks of infection. During the research, as a result of the monitoring carried out in the permanently insecure areas against the disease, high indicators of the extensity and intensity of the invasion were recorded from the beginning of April until the first ten days of June. Lack of precipitation in the summer contributed to a sharp decline in the extensity and intensity of the invasion. And in the long and warm autumn, due to heat and humidity, a certain increase in the mentioned indices was registered, which, anyhow, did not lead to autumn outbreaks of the invasion.

Reproduction of farm animals is one of the main indicators determining their biological and economic value. Highly efficient reproduction promotes the increase of livestock number and improvement of animal breeding technique. The reproductive qualities of goats depend on genetic factors and environmental conditions: age, fatness, live weight of queens, feeding level before mating and during pregnancy, daylight hours, etc. A goal has been set to study the fertility of goats and the live weight of newborn Saanen goats, bred in the goat farm of Krashen village, in the Shirak region. To analyze the goat fertility, 40 queens were taken into consideration depending on their lactation age, among which 47.5% were first-born, 5.0 % - second-born, 45.0 % were the third lambing and one doe was the fourth lambing. The studies were carried out on the queens of 2-4 years. In our opinion, it is this age, that is optimal for characterizing the queens in terms of fertility, since the first mating of goats is carried out at the age of 10 months, provided that the live weight of the young is 70-75 % of the mother's weight, but not less than 30-32 kg. Such a new approach to the technological solution makes it possible to obtain one lamb more from each queen during economic use than with conventional technology. The data obtained can be used in breeding farms for the production and sale of young animals, and the development of goat breeding in the republic.

This paper presents an overview of a novel approach to spirulina microalgae cultivation. The most optimal design of a photobioreactor with compact dimensions and, at the same time, a large production area is proposed. The research areas that can significantly impact increasing spirulina cultivation productivity are outlined. Results of studies confirm the relatively high productivity of spirulina cultivation, which is more than 30 g/l of dry biomass per 1 sq. m per a day.

To study the adaptive and acclimatization capabilities of imported apple cultivars to expand the geographical boundaries of their use in the specific lowland conditions of the Ararat Valley as well as to understand their genetic resources in new growing conditions, production experiments were set up. The following encouraging data were obtained Based on a two-year study of five new novel cultivars of apple trees in three different areas. Five apple tree cultivars were investigated: Granny Smith, Jonagold Decosta, Fuji, Mutsu, and Gala. During observation and study, they showed a high yield productivity. As a result, all five imported cultivars of apple trees are recommended for growing in intensive orchards and under similar agro-climatic conditions.