AEON Hydroponic Devices Made by Soldiers for Armenian Peasants

The Armenian company "Engined AM" has begun producing hydroponic devices to address the issue of pastures in Armenia and make fodder more accessible for farmers. Soldiers who participated in and were wounded during the 2020 war are primarily involved in the design and production of these Armenian hydroponic devices.

Banks.am provides an overview of the AEON hydroponics program by "Engined AM" and highlights the benefits of Armenian hydroponic devices.

About the Company

The "Engined AM" company was founded in July 2021 by Mher Mehrabyan, the father of Aren Mehrabyan, a hero of the 44-day war. The company's goal is to realize Aren's dream of establishing a manufacturing center for aerospace engines and eVTOL systems in Armenia. Concurrently, Aren's family operates the “Aren Mehrabyan” charitable foundation, which provides engineering education to war participants, wounded soldiers, and the family members of martyred soldiers. More detailed information about the Foundation's activities can be found in Mediamax.

An Alternative for Lost Pastures

The AEON hydroponics program, a pilot initiative by "Engined AM," allows farmers to produce fodder using hydroponic methods. This method is particularly beneficial for dairy and meat farmers who lack sufficient land to grow the necessary amount of green fodder.

"After the 44-day war, there was a significant problem with pastures in Armenia. Only 20,000 hectares in the Gegharkunik and Syunik regions remained in a neutral zone, rendering them unusable as pastures," explains Satik Nairyan, co-founder of "Engined AM," in an interview with Banks.am.

The high cost of grass has led many farmers to butcher their livestock. To address this issue, "Engined AM" initiated the hydroponic devices program, which also provides employment for graduates of their educational program. "This was a good opportunity for the participants of the war to have a stable job and apply their engineering skills," adds Satik.

The Most Optimal and Accessible Solution

According to Satik Nairyan, while some Armenian farmers use similar hydroponic devices, these are mostly imported from Turkey.

“For many months, we studied the hydroponic industry and developed a module that is highly competitive with those from other countries. Our goal was to create the most optimal, cost-effective, and accessible hydroponic device, entirely designed and manufactured in Armenia, with war participants as the primary workforce. This is a true example of entrepreneurship,” explains Satik.

Hydroponic fodder production offers several advantages. It conserves space and natural resources, which is particularly crucial in Armenia. Producing 1 kg of hydroponic fodder requires only 1.5 liters of water, compared to 80-90 liters needed to grow 1 kg of green grass in the field.

“Hydroponic fodder can feed all types of livestock and poultry, including cows, pigs, sheep, goats, horses, rabbits, chickens, geese, ducks, and turkeys. The growing process is simple and time-efficient. With just 2 hours of work per day, one production module can yield over 95 kg of fodder daily,” says Satik.

From 1 kg of refined barley or wheat, we can produce 6-10 kg of fodder. This method is ecologically clean and significantly enhances the quality and quantity of milk and meat production. The fodder is rich in beta carotene, which aids in the synthesis of Vitamin A, enriching the vitamin content in both milk and meat.

Advantages of the Hydroponic Device

The AEON hydroponic device is designed with convenient dimensions for easy transportation. Its control unit, water, electricity, and air-conditioning systems are separate from the production cabinet, ensuring long and uninterrupted operation. One control panel can manage 1 to 5 production cabinets, allowing farmers to expand their farms with minimal risk and initial investment.

“A complete set consists of 5 production cabinets and 1 control panel. If a farmer has fewer animals or birds, they can start with just one production cabinet and one control panel. Later, up to 5 cabinets can be added, with the control system automatically adjusting to manage the additional cabinets,” explains Satik Nairyan.

The equipment is user-friendly and doesn't require special training or specialists for installation and use. It can also be equipped with a remote technical diagnostic system if desired.

“We deliver and install the devices, which come with a one-year warranty. They can be remotely controlled if the farmer has the capability. If any issues arise, we can perform remote diagnostics, programming, and reprogramming,” says Satik Nairyan.

Gayane Yenokyan

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