PRESS RELEASE
United Nations Development Programme / Armenia
14 Petros Adamyan St., Yerevan 0010
Contact: Mr. Hovhannes Sarajyan, Communications Associate
Tel: +37410 566 073
E-mail: [email protected]
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*Community Development a Focus Area of UNDP Activities *
United Nations, Yerevan – On 26 June Ms. Consuelo Vidal, the United
Nations Resident Coordinator / UN Development Programme Resident
Representative in Armenia paid a visit to Lusadzor community of Tavush
region to get an insight on the progress of the community-based
integrated development projects implemented by the United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP) in the village since 2007, in partnership
with the Government of Italy.
In line with the recommendations of the Third Armenia-Diaspora
Conference, UNDP works in Lusadzor through locally-based participatory
planning and the implementation of development projects to revitalize
the community. As a result, an integrated development plan 2007-2008 was
elaborated with the participation of the mayor and the representatives
of the citizens of Lusadzor. Together with other five neighboring
villages, Lusadzor was included in the first rural development cluster
addressed under the Rural Development Program of Hayastan All-Armenian
Fund. In line with the Program, the Government of Italy has provided a
total of 500,000 EUR for the projects’ implementation in Lusadzor, which
has been supplemented with co-funding from UNDP.
With three projects already completed, UNDP currently works on three
more initiatives targeting the recovery of the socio-economic
infrastructure of Lusadzor and the creation of income generation
opportunities for the rural households. Under its Community Development
Project, UNDP has supported the construction of a 4.8-kilometer gas
network to supply natural gas to around 200 households. A total of 150
households have been provided with 17 tons of high quality wheat seeds
as well as diesel and fertilizer to return non-tilled arable lands into
crop cultivation. This year wheat crop cultivation will result in an
increase of community income by 60,000 USD. Over 5,000 persimmon
seedlings have been distributed to replace the old gardens of the
beneficiaries with newly planted orchards. In four years the persimmon
production in the community will total up to 1,000 tons, which is almost
one third of the annual consumption of persimmon in the country. The
persimmon production will have a major impact on the income of Lusadzor
households, as it will increase by 2,000 USD per household.
Currently a 2.5-kilometer internal irrigation network reconstruction is
underway and UNDP has also undertaken the rehabilitation of the local
cultural center to help address the cultural and sports needs of the
villagers. To support around 120 households engaged in cattle breeding,
UNDP has started a project on artificial insemination of the community
livestock aimed at improving its genetic qualities and fertility.
New community development initiatives, such as the establishment of
garlic demo farms, enlargement of persimmon orchards and reconstruction
of the potable water network, are part of the project and are in the
process of being implemented.
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UNDP is on ground in 166 countries, working with them on their own
solutions to global and national development challenges. UNDP in Armenia
was established in 1993 and supports the Government of Armenia to reach
its own development priorities and the Millennium Development Goals by
2015.