The project is a continuation of a programme on promotion of honey production, initiated in 2004, in Ijevan sub-region by the Armenia Round Table. Within its framework 50 families from 5 frontier villages (Kirants, Nerkin Tsakhkavan, Acharkut, Ditavan and Berkaber) were trained and 50 new apiaries were established.
As a result of project implementation “Bee Keepers’ Centre” was created and in 2007 farmers were organized into a union, “Meghrik” Beekeepers’ Foundation. In the result of the project implementation a number of visible changes are recorded. Communities became more active through joint work; self-respect in the result of successful activities has increased.
The current project continues focusing the beneficiaries of previous projects in this area, but at the same time includes other communities as well and 50 more bee keepers’ families. In the course of expansion of the project more and more farmers are involved. The criteria of selection of beneficiaries are willingness of the farmers to participate in the marketing project, and most importantly their willingness to produce only quality product. After the intensive trainings in five new communities 10 vulnerable families will get two bee hives each.
The project foresees organization of consultancy and training sessions for beekeepers on marketing techniques and practices. Besides handouts and literature on various aspects of bee keeping are available in the Centre library, as well as distributed to farmers. Foundation helps bee keepers in organizing prophylactic activities, and treatment by leading specialists, assists bee keepers to identify and acquire pharmaceuticals, equipment, etc, necessary to organize honey production. Some of the trainings are conducted by a specialist invited from Yerevan. The project has also a marketing component increasing the economic opportunities of the training participants. The beneficiaries willing to sell their honey through the centre sign agreements foreseeing their participation in training, strict implementation of the consultants’ advice, and producing only quality honey. The Centre, on the other hand, is responsible for consultancy, professional assistance and marketing.
After passing testing in special laboratory in Yerevan, high quality honey is purchased from the training participants. Sales are organized on the territory of Mother See of Holyu Etchmiadzin, Monasteries in Haghartsin, Goshavank, and Gandzasar, etc, as well as specialized shops. Sales are organised under church and monastic honey labels and in souvenir packs. Honey in this case is possible to sell more expensive, than average market price which is paid to farmers. The honey fair with the participation of the leading specialists in beekeeping is organised. In the result of project implementation hundreds of bee keepers of Ijevan region has got qualified consultancy and advice on various aspects of bee keeping. Another important moment here is that offering people income generating possibilities it is possible to improve the social situation and contribute to the decrease in the migration from the region.
The project targets 100 families (about 450-500 bee keepers) in border communities in Ijevan region of Tavush province in Armenia.
The project is aimed at improvement of social and economic situation in Ijevan region, Tavush province, through providing local population with training, production and marketing opportunities.