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August 8, 2011

MCA-Armenia's Water-To-Market Activity Reports on Achievements

45,000-Plus Farmers Trained in On-Farm Water Management in Over 400 Rural Communities


The impressive achievements of the Armenia Water-to-Market (WtM) program were presented on July 29, at a ceremony at the Marriott Armenia Hotel in Yerevan.


From February 2007 to July 2011, the program has emphasized farmer training through three-day classroom sessions and hands-on observations at demonstration sites; support of linkages between farmers, wholesalers and processors; and improved access to affordable credit.


Millennium Challenge Armenia (MCA)-Armenia CEO Ara Hovsepyan spoke of the importance of the $32 million agriculture support program and thanked implementing staff and participants.


Project Achieves Impact in Rural Communities

Artak Harutyunyan, ACDI/VOCA team leader and WtM project manager, described the results of each program component and highlighted beneficiary stories. The program’s accomplishments include

  • 45,639 farmers trained in on-farm water management in over 400 rural communities, and 36,070 trained in high-value agriculture (HVA)
  • New irrigation techniques and HVA farming practices showcased in over 230 demonstration sites established in every marze (province) of Armenia
  • Linkages established between farmers, processors and wholesalers through support of 227 enterprises and farmer groups
  • $8.5 million in agricultural loans provided to more than 1,000 farmers

The event ended with the presentation of certificates of appreciation to the implementing team.


Initiative Results in Better Production, Strengthened Local Agribusinesses

ACDI/VOCA has worked in partnership with ARCADIS Euroconsult (Netherlands) and VISTAA (Armenia) to implement WtM as part of the MCA program. By helping to rehabilitate Armenia’s vital irrigation infrastructure and rendering extensive technical and financial assistance to rural farmers and to the government irrigation entities that support them, the program has enabled more profitable agricultural production and strengthened local agribusiness to increase employment and reduce rural poverty.


Millennium Challenge Corporation CEO Daniel Yohannes traveled from Washington May 3-5 to see firsthand Armenian farmers who are employing good on-farm water management for healthier crops and higher returns.


The U.S. government-funded Millennium Challenge Corporation’s (MCC) investment in the agricultural and water sector in Armenia through the MCA-Armenia program is expected to reach about $177 million by the time the program ends in September 2011.


The Millennium Challenge Account–Armenia, a noncommercial organization established by the government of Armenia, is responsible for overseeing the transparent implementation of the compact signed between the MCC and the government of Armenia.


For details of the presentation and the results go to: http://mca.am/en/news/207.


For more information regarding the MCA-Armenia program visit: www.mca.am/en.


Learn more about ACDI/VOCA's WtM program.


Pictured at top left: ACDI/VOCA, Millennium Challenge Account-Armenia and program partners presented the impressive achievements of the Water-to-Market Activity at a ceremony at the Marriott Armenia Hotel in Yerevan.