Armenian Schools to Potentially Grow and Sell Tomatoes Soon

Armenian schools will soon be able to grow and sell tomatoes. Yes, you heard that right. Schools in Armenia will grow tomatoes, cucumbers, and potatoes.

According to ArmLur.am, public schools in our republic will gain the right to produce and sell agricultural products. It is also known that production and sale of agricultural products through greenhouses, hydroponics, or other methods will be implemented within the framework of the United Nations World Food Programme’s "School Greenhouses, Vegetable Gardens, Orchards" initiative.

The draft decision was recently presented for public discussion by the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports of the Republic of Armenia. This ministry hopes that Armenian schools will not only solve financial issues with the agricultural products they grow but also ensure food security for the students.

However, there is a problem; currently, the subjects and objectives of public schools do not include the production and sale of agricultural products. For this reason, the ministry suggests an amendment to the government decision No. 1392-N of July 25, 2002.

Whether the program regarding schools engaging in agriculture will be fruitful remains to be seen. Yet, some experts have already begun to express concerns, worried that this might turn into yet another money laundering scheme.