Since 2006, Oxfam alongside local partners¹, has been challenging inequality and promoting sustainable livelihoods amongst vulnerable and refugee communities in Tavush and Vayots Dzor regions. So far, thousands of small-scale farmers have seen their incomes rise by up to 40 per cent by working through co-operatives, while levels of inequality and women's unemployment have decreased, and business ownership and women's status have risen. This project will expand activities, working in a further three farming communities in Vayots Dzor in south-east Armenia, to develop women-led agricultural co-operatives. The project will directly support 800 farmers, mainly women and refugees as well as traders, exporters and consumers.

Project aims

• Increase the income of women - particularly refugees and displaced people - by helping them to develop successful agricultural businesses.
• Help farmers to adapt to increasingly harsh weather conditions by introducing more climate-resilient crops.
• Enable small-scale farmers to grow - and store - more good quality, environmentally sustainable and marketable produce, such as high-value fresh and dried fruits and vegetables.
• Empower more women to become agricultural and business leaders in their communities.

¹ Business Support Centre (BSC) provides training support and Horizon Fund offers interest-free micro-finance loans to farmers. 

Irina Avenessyan moved to the village of Hermon in Vayots Dzor, as a refugee from Azerbaijan, after losing her husband. Irina works hard to keep her family warm and fed, but rising food prices and poor harvests make that increasingly difficult.

Companies:

Kimberly Haynes - khaynes@oxfam.org.uk
01865 472431

If you're based in Scotland:

Annie Lewis - alewis@oxfam.org.uk
0141 285 8873