A total of 190 applications were submitted as part of the the European Union’s ENPARD project “Producer Group and Value Chain Development”.

An open call was announced to select farmer groups engaged in the production and processing of high value agricultural products, such as buckwheat and lentil, milk and high value cheese, fruits and berries, non-traditional vegetables, honey, and other products.

The deadline for applications was 15 July 2015. Applications were received from 6 target regions of the Republic of Armenia: Shirak, Lori, Gegharkunik, Aragatsotn, Kotayk and Vayots Dzor.

To advance in the selection process, applicants must include at least 5 farmers from different families, who live and carry out agricultural activities in rural communities. Registered cooperatives and informal/newly formed groups will be considered. Farmers must show enthusiasm, business-orientation, and willingness to participate in training. They should also agree to co-finance their proposed projects. Priority will be given to women and youth led groups with innovative ideas.

ENPARD seeks to support agricultural groups that show strong potential to become sustainable and generate increased income for farmers, create rural jobs, and be replicated as successful cases in the future. The project will ensure maximum support to the farmer groups and their families, within the available financing and in correspondence to the project objectives.

According to John Barker, the International Aid/Cooperation Officer of the EU Delegation to Armenia, "The European Union is delighted with the positive response from farmers, in particular that 34% of the applicants are female and 30% young people. We look forward now to the next phase of the project where potential beneficiaries will receive business skills development training and will be assisted to develop business plans for their groups.

ENPARD (European Neighbourhood Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development) is financed by the European Union to ensure sustainable agricultural development in Armenia. One of its components “Producer Group and Value Chain Development” is implemented by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with the top-up funding from the Austrian Development Agency. Government counterpart of the project is the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Armenia.

The main objective of the component is to support agricultural cooperatives and engage producer groups effectively in value addition.

The project was launched in January 2015 and the duration is 36 months.