ENPARD Technical Assistance to Producer Groups and Value Chain Development

Broccoli cultivation in Gargar community, Lori region

What we do

Agriculture is one of the core sectors of Armenia’s economy and the main source of income generation for livelihoods in rural areas. According to the National Statistical Service of Armenia, agriculture constitutes 15.9 percent of Armenia’s GDP and contributes substantially to rural employment, as 37 percent of economically active population is involved the sector.

The European Neighborhood Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development (ENPARD) was launched in Armenia in January 2015. The Programme is designed to support the agricultural institutions, encourage the development of farmers’ associations and improve access to more affordable food in the European Neighborhood countries.

Within the framework of the Program, the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) provide technical support to the Government of Armenia in close cooperation with the Ministry of Agriculture, local authorities and other stakeholders. UNIDO and UNDP strengthen and establish producer groups and engage them effectively in value chain development. FAO provides technical assistance to the Ministry of Agriculture for institutional development and policy harmonization, as well as in the roll-out of the national agricultural census. 

The European Union funded “ENPARD Armenia Technical Assistance: Producer Group and Value Chain Development” project is implemented by UNIDO and UNDP. The overall objective of the Technical Assistance project is to support the Government of Armenia in ensuring an efficient and sustainable agriculture that contributes to better conditions in rural areas of the country. The technical assistance component focuses on producer groups and value chain development, production volume expansion, product development, technology upgrading, marketing, as well as introducing best agricultural practices and disaster risk reduction systems. The direct beneficiaries of the project are agricultural producers, members of producer groups and their employees, their families and SMEs along the value chains, as well as Armenian consumers. Women, youth and other vulnerable groups are in the spotlight of the project.

Some results so far

- Over 40 producer groups provided with seeds, fertilizers, agricultural tools, equipment and machinery to launch and sustain operations in 70 villages in Armenia;

- Over 600 farmers from more than 70 villages provided with new employment and income generating opportunities;

- 43 agricultural cooperatives involving aver 600 villagers from 6 regions of Armenia established and operational;

- Over 1000 tons of crop was harvested from 520 ha cultivated area including 150 ha of unused agricultural land;

- Over 600 farmers provided with extensive trainings and consultancies in Good Agricultural Practices, agricultural cooperative management and business plan development that helped to support their operations and increase production;

- 8 tunnel greenhouses installed;

- 11 berry orchards installed;

- 18 drip irrigation systems provided;

- Over 12,000 meters of anti-hail nets installed;

- Over 750 tons of high value filed crops, 12 tons of non-traditional vegetables and 1 tons of berries harvested in 2017.