Ameria Management Advisory Services presents a program on development of small-scale gardening in Armenia. The program is being implemented under a state project aimed at creating agrarian potential. Ameria Group has told ArmInfo that the key goal of the program is to reduce poverty in Armenian provinces by developing small-scale gardening. Under the agrarian project, 7 types of agricultural crops have been selected, particularly, grapes, apples, apricots, peaches, plums, pears and walnuts, which grow most effectively in the climatic conditions of Armenia and have a big potential for bringing income. Financial models have been worked out for each of these crops, so the financial institutions will be able to assess the expediency of lending to the cultivation process.
Vahe Harutyunyan, Acting Director of the Office of the Rural Areas Economic Development Programme, stresses that the new loan program aims to increase the capacities and income of the small producers. "We expect the long-term lending program to enhance the financial capacities of the economic entities of that agrarian segment and to increase the output. This, in turn, will reduce poverty in the rural communities. The lessons drawn and the positive results will further be used to implement other horticultural programs," he says.
To note, the agrarian sector involving 45% of jobs throughout the republic has been playing the leading role in the GDP dynamics of Armenia and demonstrating high growth rates since 2010. In Armenia the small- scale horticultural businesses mostly operate in Aragatsotn, Ararat, Armavir, Kotayk, Lori, Tavush and Vayots Dzor provinces. About 70% of the farm enterprises are small (an average of 1.3 ha land plot). These target groups are in the focus of attention of the specified program meant for the villagers living in the high-mountain communities of Armenia and having land plots with an area of 3 hectares.
To note, Ameria is one of the leading companies in the Armenian market of advisory ser- vices. It offers a comprehensive set of professional services embracing three key areas: management advisory, financial advisory and legal advisory. Ameria combines the broad industry experience with all-embracing range of advisory services to meet specific needs of each client and to propose unique solutions both on strategic and operational levels.