The European Union (EU) has just transferred 7 million Euros to the Armenian government as part of a 20 million Euro three-year project to sustain agriculture and rural development in the country.

In 2014, the EU confirmed financial support with total value of €25 million to the Armenian government, within ENPARD (European NeighbourhoodProgramme for Agriculture and Rural Development) Armenia.

This programme is being implemented over three years, providing €20 million of budget support for the Government of Armenia to sustain agricultural and rural development. A further €5 million is being provided to support the Ministry of Agriculture and to promote the development of farmers’ groups and value adding chains throughout Armenia.

The budget support payments are being made over three years, and the 2016 payment of €7 million has just been transferred to the Government of Armenia. In confirming the payment, Head of the EU Delegation to Armenia, Ambassador Piotr Świtalski, commented:"I very much welcome the progress achieved in the implementation of this programme as a whole, including the valuable role played by the complementary assistance. I would therefore like to congratulate the Government and the Ministry of Agriculture in particular for the achievements in the context of this support."

The EU’s Delegation to Armenia says that ENPARD is improving the lives of nearly 800 farmers directly, and indirectly 3,200 people, through the creation of agricultural cooperatives. 

The cooperatives have been provided with the latest equipment and technology, and their staff trained in the production of high quality products.55 cooperatives have been formed and registration initiated under the Law on Agricultural Cooperatives. The farmer groups are producing buckwheat, European type high value cheeses, non-traditional vegetables such as broccoli, and dried fruits and herbs.