CARD Foundation, jointly with Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation (HSI), is going to implement “Markets for Meghri” (M4M) 4-year project funded by the Swiss Development Cooperation (SDC) which is aimed at solving problems farmers, processors and traders encounter by increasing their production volumes and incomes. The project will be launched on December 1st, 2012, and will cover the Meghri region of the Syunik marz.
During the project implementation period, CARD will closely cooperate with “Small and Medium Entrepreneurship Development National Center of Armenia” (SME DNC) Fund for which a Memorandum of Understanding was signed on October 1st, 2012. This cooperation will be aimed at contributing to the poverty reduction in Meghri region by increasing the profit level of farmers, processors and traders, and thus contributing to the growth and sustainability of their incomes.
“Through our joint collaboration with SME DNC and with our joint efforts, we will build capacities for providing a long-term package of services to farmers and SMEs of Meghri region” said CARD Director Gagik Sardaryan.
The service package will include: provision of training and consultancy, access to credits and agricultural input to farmers, processors and traders.
The expected results of the project are: to contribute to improvement of access to markets for project target groups through facilitation of the development of long-term and reliable relationships; make new investment opportunities in Meghri region through public-private partnership.
“We are very glad to be part of this great initiative. And I am convinced that through our joint cooperation, we will have good records in Meghri region” mentioned SME DNC executive director Varazdat Karapetyan.