ADVANCED RURAL DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE (ARDI)

2017 Program Updates

Raising the Capacity of Small Businesses in Rural Areas The business is like a plant rural areas. sis and assessment of each orchard that needs to be nurtured and wa- During April 17-20 ARDI with the purpose to identify the gaps tered all the time for faster and program hosted Mr. Clifford Wener, hampering the cultivation of their or- healthier growth. Lack of knowledge a visiting U.S. expert in food process- chards and improve knowledge and negatively affects the quantity and ing and food safety. 18 beneficiar- the quality of investments in the sec- ies from Vayots Dzor region who are tor. Here is why ARDI pays great at- engaged in beekeeping and dry fruit tention to continuous capacity build- making, learned about international ing endeavours: We have organized safety standards on food process- consultation and technical support ing and manufacturing (HACCP) dur- to all businesses supported since the ing theoretical and on site training. initiation of the program. The con- This training was organized through sultations are selected based on the partnership of VISTAA organization’s needs of business owners. Farmer to Farmer program. Based on skill levels on farming techniques April was a month of consul- gained skills the businesses were able Based on the on site visits of tations. Both local and international to assess their production quality and each plot conducted by the consult- experts were invited to provide tech- if necessary replan the future steps. ant, first of all the most favourable nical support to ARDI beneficiaries to In April ARDI program in- planting area-spot for specific types assess and improve the knowledge of vited also Mr. Armen Zakaryan, one of trees was selected, then they re- agricultural business owners in target of the leading horticultural specialists ceived detailed information on the in , to provide consultation quality of seedlings, main/important on horticulture for 8 communities in- steps as a guide to setting up a new cluding in Vayots Dzor marz - Rind, orchard, maintenance of newly plant- , Artavan, , ed orchard, tree pruning and shap- in Lori marz for Dsegh and in Tavush ing, and orchard fertilization issues. marz for Archis communities. The consultant also provided recom- During the visits to each community mendation/instruction on how to re- the specialist made detailed analy- store old, neglected orchards. The Best Woman Entrepreneur 2017 Award The Best Female Entrepre- at some point even prevent emigra- neur 2017 Award by the RA Prime tion from Armenia. Minister took place in March at the Armenia Marriott Hotel, . ARDI program beneficiary, During this annual ceremony success- Svetlana Sevlikyan, received an ful women entrepreneurs receive encouragement certificate from the awards and recognition. The event USAID Armenia Mission Director Ms. aims to encourage more women to Deborah Grieser. follow their dream. They partake in Svetlana, with her family, estab- economic development of Armenia, lished and runs Crossway Camping in create new jobs in rural areas, thus Yeghegnadzor. ARDI is a five-year program funded by the US Agency for International Development. Launched in September 2013, the program aims to increase rural employment by tackling constraints to rural economic development of select rural communities in the Syunik, Vayots Dzor and Lori marzes (provinces) of Armenia. The program will support interventions in three main rural economic sectors/Value Chains involving Dairy Processing, Fruit Processing and Rural Tourism. The ARDI program is being implemented by the Fuller Center for Housing Armenia and Heifer Project International Armenian Branch Office. Partnership for Synergy ARDI Program partners with small pottery production at the tract more tourists. The first -co different organizations to deliver “Nurik” center. Her big love for operation between My Armenia synergy, add breadth and depth, pottery making gives life and and ARDI Program was initiated in leverage know-how and boost breath to clay and passes the pos- Rind community where beneficiary new and creative ideas aiming to itive energy to customers. Anahit Anna Khachatryan with her hus- achieve sustainable and effective sells her beautiful souvenir pottery band is engaged in wood carving. results. at the center and provides master For years they have been making Since the launch ARDI program classes for tourists/visitors. cross stones, wooden wall watch- has had a long list of partners. Another entrepreneur, Sona es, plates, wine bottle trays and During recent months the list had Shakhkyan is weaving carpet/rug more. They sell the products in sou- two more additions: AYWA (Ar- at the center and making souvenirs venir shops near Noravank monas- menian Young Women Association) as well. The produce is sold at the tery. ARDI program supported the and “My Armenia” of Smithsonian center souvenir shop; she also pro- family to renovate and remodel Institution. vides master classes for tourists/ the first floor of their house for the Last year in Akhtala city of Lori visitors and local community mem- purpose of holding master classes. region AYWA NGO re-established bers. ARDI program supported her It serves both as a workshop area “Nurik” tourism development cent- and showroom for their products. er with the support of USAID. The With the help of ARDI program center is situated near Akhtala now they have extended their ser- city’s Surb Astvatsatsin (Holy Moth- vices and provide master classes er of God) church. both for tourists and for community A good number of locals are people, especially school children. employed or manage their own The Smithsonian Institution’s “My small businesses with the help of Armenia” project will help them in Nurik’s management. ARDI Pro- promoting and marketing of their gram joined three of such business- business. es by making financial investments while AYWA provides training and ongoing support. All beneficiaries Completed Projects made their own financial invest- ments for the projects. ARDI pro- Milk Collection Unit - 7 gram values such co-financing as it Animal Water Point – 53 in enhances the responsibility of ben- 16 communities eficiaries. Irrigation Water System– 14 Arpenik Darchinyan from Akhta- la city started traditional bread to obtain a carpet making bench Bed & Breakfast– 9 production in a brick oven right which was put to work right away. Fruit Cold Storage - 4 next to the center’s building in an Another cooperation that ARDI Farmer Service Center - 1 open area. She is a professional Program started recently is “My Cheese Production - 1 cook and accumulated good expe- Armenia” project of Smithsonian Dried Fruit Production - 1 rience in baking traditional bread. Institution. “My Armenia” is a col- Laboratory - 1 As the business location is very laborative cultural sustainability close to the church and is a touristic and tourism program between US- Seed Grant Project - 82 location, having an open area for AID, Smithsonian Institution, and bread backing actually attracts the people of Armenia. The or- Upcoming Activities more visitors who cannot stay in- ganization harnesses the power Start the construction and/or different to the smell of freshly of research, documentation, and renovation of: baked bread. Arpenik is also pro- storytelling to strengthen cultural Bed & Breakfast - 4 viding master classes for tourists/ sustainability through community- visitors. The bread is being sold at based tourism development. The Seed Grant Project - 18 the center for visitors and tourists project provides training and Dried Fruit Production - 1 as well as in the grocery stores of cultivates creative ideas on how Animal Water Point – 2 Akhtala and nearby cities. to preserve heritage, make it a Dairy Projects - 1 Anahit Kocharyan initiated a competitive advantage and at- Farmer Service Center - 2

This newsletter is made possible by the generous support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents are the responsibility of ARDI program and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government. Fuller Center for Housing Armenia NGO Address: 59 Komitas Ave., Yerevan 0051, Armenia Office phone: + 374 10 20 43 90 www.fcharmenia.org, [email protected]