Melanya Tumanyan, from Chambarak community of Gegharkunik region, shares a heartwarming story about her love for nature and land that began during her childhood. One of her fondest memories was visiting her grandfather's garden, where she fell in love with the beautiful pumpkins and the love and care her grandfather put into cultivating them.

“I was so passionate about growing my own garden that my enthusiasm became contagious and soon my family members joined me in cultivating our garden together. We grew a wide variety of crops, and I was finally able to do what I loved most - cultivating my garden”. 

When Melanya learned about “Women's Economic Empowerment” project in Shirak and Gegharkunik regions, one of the goals of which is to help women increase their knowledge, skills and income in the field of agriculture, she applied and was included in the list of beneficiaries. 

“Within the framework of the project, I participated in several trainings and learned about growing traditional and non-traditional crops, processing agricultural products, and selling them. I got acquainted with the latest agricultural technologies and learn about ways to improve and modernize the cultivation and production processes. To help implement what I learned, I received inputs like seeds, seedlings, fertilizer, and tools. I would love to have the opportunity to share my experience with other women in the community”.

The Armenia component of the “Women’s Economic Empowerment in the South Caucasus” regional project is implemented by UNDP in Armenia in partnership with the RA Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure and in close collaboration with UN Women Country Office in Georgia. The project is funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and the Austrian Development Agency.