Embassy News 2009
Millennium Challenge Account-Armenia’s Water to Market Activity Marks its Three Project Years Through a Two-Day EXPO
October 13, 2009
Ribbon Cutting Ceremony
Yerevan, Armenia - On October 13 and 14 the Water to Market (WtM) Activity of the Millennium Challenge Account - Armenia (MCA-Armenia) Program presented the results of its three years of project implementation in a unique exhibition that highlighted programmatic work through displays showing modern technologies and practices related to irrigation, production and post-harvest handling. The exhibition also showed the success which t has been achieved in identifying market opportunities and helping the beneficiary farmers take advantage of these markets.
Present at the EXPO opening ceremony were the Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan and the U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Marie L. Yovanovitch. The EXPO was opened by a video viewing session, which was followed by a few remarks made by the dignitaries present at the opening. They emphasized the significance of the event and the overall program, which is an excellent example of a fruitful collaboration between the U.S. and Armenia.
The various EXPO exhibits, presentations and posters highlighted the objective of the WtM, which is knowledgeable and prosperous farmers through training, hands on application and access to finance, and support to the entire agricultural chain by linking this more competitive producer/supply base to profitable agribusiness opportunities. Throughout the two days of the EXPO the visitors also had a chance to meet the befitting farmers, program experts and credit organizations, and to discuss many issues equally important to farmers, agribusinesses and policy makers.
MCA-Armenia’s 18-million USD Water to Market Activity is an agriculture support project funded by the Millennium Challenge Corporation. Through this activity 45,000 farmers will receive training in on-farm water management and high value agriculture in almost 350 Armenian rural communities, and more than 200 demonstration sites will be established to demonstrate new irrigation techniques and high value agriculture practices in all the marzes of the country. As part of the program efforts will be directed to post-harvesting, processing and marketing activities that ensure linkages between improved irrigated production and profitable agribusiness opportunities. Around 8,5 million USD will be provided by MCA Armenia in agricultural loans in support of the program objectives. The total value of the WtM activity is over 32 million USD as it also includes a sub-component focused on strengthening water management entities.
For more information regarding this event and the MCA-Armenia program, please visit:
Millennium Challenge Account–Armenia (MCA–Armenia), a State Non Commercial Organization established by the Government of Armenia, is responsible for overseeing the transparent implementation of the Compact signed between the Millennium Challenge Corporation and the Government of Armenia.