Armenia to Receive $3 Million Grant to Improve Food Security in Rural Areas

The Armenian government approved today the signing of a grant agreement between Armenia and the Asian Development Bank for the 'Climate-Resilient Food Security Enhancement Program.'

This grant of $3 million, proposed by the 'Japan Fund for Prosperous and Resilient Asia and the Pacific' (JFPR), aims to support the Armenian government in enhancing the resilience of agricultural livelihoods and improving food security in rural areas that are highly vulnerable to climate change impacts.

The program will be implemented in two regions of Armenia: Shirak and Tavush, where small farmers face high levels of poverty, food insecurity, and climate risks.

"10 villages will be provided with climate-resilient energy solutions to reduce energy costs, small-scale solar photovoltaic systems will be procured, and revolving funds will be created where the savings from the energy generated by solar PV systems will be invested in various agricultural sub-projects," the draft decision states.

Rural enterprises that meet the following criteria will be eligible to participate in the program: households with a single earner, female-headed households, households with four or more children under the age of 18, and households with persons with disabilities.