For Immediate Release ~ October 12, 2009
Contact: Sarkis Kotanjian ~ 818-243-6222
Yerevan, Armenia – The Hayastan All-Armenian Fund is currently building a milk-collection center in Armenia’s Tavush Region, aiming to significantly boost the local dairy industry. The facility, which will be established in the village of Azatamut, is intended to service seven neighboring communities as well, including Khashtarak, Lusahovit, Lusadzor, Ditavan, Aknaghbyur, Aygehovit, and Achajur. The project is sponsored by the Armenia Fund U.S. Western Region, with funding from the Armenian community of San Francisco.
The initiative will be implemented in collaboration with the Ashtarak Milk company, which will assist local milk producers in the collection, storage, and distribution of their products. The Hayastan All-Armenian Fund will provide all necessary equipment for the milk-collection center as well as a truck for the collection process. In addition, the fund will give local producers technical assistance to improve animal-husbandry practices and enhance livestock quality. The project will result in a highly streamlined and efficient manufacturing and distribution system as well as superior product quality.
“Our goal is to lend a helping hand to the villagers by enabling them to sell their products and secure revenues,” said Ara Vardanyan, executive director of the Hayastan All-Armenian Fund. “No less important is the fact that close to ten jobs will be created through the creation of the milk-collection center. We have every reason to believe that this project will be a great success, especially given our collaboration with an experienced and dedicated partner, the Ashtarak Milk company.”
Commenting on the urgency of the project, Azatamut mayor Zhora Martirosyan said that currently crop growers and animal farmers in Tavush barely make ends meet since they lack proper mechanisms to sell their products outside their communities. “The existence of a milk-collection center will go a long way in improving the lives of our residents,” Martirosyan added.
Armenia Fund, Inc., is a non-profit 501(c)(3) tax-exempt corporation established in 1994 to facilitate large-scale humanitarian and infrastructure development assistance to Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. Since 1991, Armenia Fund has rendered more than $190 million in development aid to Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh. Armenia Fund, Inc. is the U.S. Western Region affiliate of “Hayastan” All-Armenian Fund. Tax ID# 95-4485698
