Working Together Helps an Agricultural Association in Armenia Achieve Success

Lukashin is a small town in the Armavir Marz region of Armenia, about 50 miles west of the capital, Yerevan. After the collapse of the Soviet Union, teachers, business people, factory workers and government advisers in Armavir Marz lost their jobs and had no way to support themselves. "We were educated but had no jobs," said one resident.

With few other options, and little to no experience in agriculture, the people of Lukashin began farming. In 2005, after struggling on their own for more than 10 years, 84 people came together and started the Lukashin Agricultural Association, to provide rural people with resources, advice and, most importantly, connection to local markets. Heifer and LAA began working together three years ago, when 26 families received heifers and 80 sheep were passed on to 16 new families from another project.

These animals provide much needed milk and wool and have made a big difference in the lives of the group. Alagyaz Vardanyan, a father of five and grandfather received five sheep in Spring 2010. He said that it's "very wonderful" to have the sheep and his family is already benefitting from the wool, which they will use to make blankets and mattresses for home use and for sale. The extra income will make a big difference for his family, who he was previously supporting through the sale of the fruits and vegetable he grew in his garden.

Many other members of LAA have achieved success like Vardanyans through their partnership with Heifer. In fact, what is remarkable about this group is the huge amount of progress they have made in a very short time. The members knew that as individuals it was difficult to sell things in the market and receive a fair price and to apply for loans. Some of the benefits of being a part of a cooperative include being able to negotiate as a group the price of their goods, being able to apply for loans at a lower interest rate and acting as "safety nets" for each other through hard times. The association has also had success in achieving some consumer rights protections.

Give today to help more peple like Alagyaz Vardanyan.

Many members of the group point to the training as one of the most valuable aspects of being involved with a Heifer project. "Heifer's help is so important … the knowledge gap we have [as farmers] is filled by Heifer's training," said Davtyan Vardges, president of LAA.

Vardges' confidence in LAA's future success shines through when he speaks of his hopes for the group. He hopes to continue working together in groups, so that "nothing is on the shoulders of just one person." He hopes that the partnership with Heifer will continue. He says, "Please, pass our thanks to Heifer; with the help of Heifer people began to live easier."

Lyova Iskandaryan, an LAA board member, echoed this sentiment. "Every morning we know we'll have something to eat. To be involved with Heifer gives hope."