The proposed knowledge and support technical assistance (TA) will improve the production system, productivity and competitiveness of the agriculture sector. It will promote holistic value chain development for high-value crops from production to market. It will also increase the institutional capacity of sector agencies in developing and adopting appropriate policies and regulations to unlock the potential of the agriculture sector.
Project Name | Enhancing High-Value Crop Diversification | ||||
Project Number | 53197-002 | ||||
Country | Armenia |
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Project Status | Active | ||||
Project Type / Modality of Assistance | Technical Assistance |
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Source of Funding / Amount |
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Strategic Agendas | Environmentally sustainable growth Inclusive economic growth Regional integration |
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Drivers of Change | Governance and capacity development Knowledge solutions Partnerships Private sector development |
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Sector / Subsector |
Agriculture, natural resources and rural development / Agricultural policy, institutional and capacity development Industry and trade / Small and medium enterprise development |
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Gender Equity and Mainstreaming | No gender elements | ||||
Description | The proposed knowledge and support technical assistance (TA) will improve the production system, productivity and competitiveness of the agriculture sector. It will promote holistic value chain development for high-value crops from production to market. It will also increase the institutional capacity of sector agencies in developing and adopting appropriate policies and regulations to unlock the potential of the agriculture sector. | ||||
Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy | The contribution of the agriculture sector to gross domestic product has declined in recent years, from 18% in 2012 to 14% in 2018. However, it continues to provide a significant source of employment. In 2018, agriculture employed 33.3% of the labor force, and around 56% of agricultural labor was provided by women.4 According to Food and Agriculture Organization data, Armenia's agricultural land amounts to 2.04 million hectares (ha) but only 22% (446,000 ha) is arable. Agriculture is predominantly smallholder-based, with an average landholding of 1.5 ha. Crop production accounts for 72% and livestock production accounts for 28% of agricultural value added. In 2017, the distribution of area harvested by crop was cereals (32%), fruit (49%), vegetables roots and pulses (17%), and nuts (1%).5 Growth in agriculture is constrained by low value crops, low productivity, limited connectivity and weak market linkages, inadequate public investment, and sporadic support services. Less than 30% of arable land is equipped with irrigation facilities. Armenia is a net importer of agricultural and food products, with exports of $697 million and imports of $726 million in 2018. In particular, for some key products the level of Armenia's self-sufficiency is low, for instance wheat products only 33%, pork products 58%, and poultry products 23%. The sector has suffered from limited access to good quality land, specialized agricultural machinery, appropriate inputs, modern technologies, market information, modern distribution methods, commercial finance, and crop insurance. The agricultural value chain is characterized by rudimentary marketing and transportation infrastructure, weak linkages between value chain actors, and limited and technologically poor storage and processing capacity. There is no strategic coordination of wholesale market activity at the national level. All markets nation-wide are managed at the local level, which has given rise to a range of wholesale and retail market outlets of varying capacities and levels of professionalism. Public investment in agricultural research and development, extension services, and agribusiness development, has been negligible, and private sector efforts limited. Linkages with agricultural universities and academic institutions are weak. In the horticulture subsector productivity is low because the industry is highly fragmented. Producers are predominantly individual farmers and small enterprises without access to advanced horticultural techniques, productive seeds, effective plant nutrients and pesticides, efficient logistics, and appropriate financial resources and services. In addition, the industry faces emerging challenges such as shortage of arable land and water resources, greater focus on environmental protection, frequent natural disasters which increase price volatility, insufficient agricultural infrastructure, low incomes for rural farmers, and a growing need for rural reform to ensure the sector's development. |
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Impact | Agricultural competitiveness enhanced |
Project Outcome | |
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Description of Outcome | Production and marketing of high-value crops increased |
Progress Toward Outcome | |
Implementation Progress | |
Description of Project Outputs | Policies and regulations for high value crop diversification improved Suitable financing mechanisms for high value crop diversification developed |
Status of Implementation Progress (Outputs, Activities, and Issues) | |
Geographical Location | Nation-wide |
Summary of Environmental and Social Aspects | |
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Environmental Aspects | |
Involuntary Resettlement | |
Indigenous Peoples | |
Stakeholder Communication, Participation, and Consultation | |
During Project Design | |
During Project Implementation |
Business Opportunities | |
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Consulting Services | Team Leader/Agricultural Economist: individual consultant selection (international) Other Specialists (policy, finance, and capacity development): individual consultant selection (international and national) |
Responsible ADB Officer | Bui, Giap Minh |
Responsible ADB Department | Central and West Asia Department |
Responsible ADB Division | Environment, Natural Resources & Agriculture Division, CWRD |
Timetable | |
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Concept Clearance | 05 Nov 2019 |
Fact Finding | 30 Sep 2019 to 04 Oct 2019 |
MRM | - |
Approval | 20 Jan 2020 |
Last Review Mission | - |
Last PDS Update | 20 Apr 2020 |
TA 9942-ARM
Milestones | |||||
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Approval | Signing Date | Effectivity Date | Closing | ||
Original | Revised | Actual | |||
20 Jan 2020 | 14 Feb 2020 | 14 Feb 2020 | 31 Dec 2023 | - | - |
Financing Plan/TA Utilization | Cumulative Disbursements | |||||||
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ADB | Cofinancing | Counterpart | Total | Date | Amount | |||
Gov | Beneficiaries | Project Sponsor | Others | |||||
750,000.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 0.00 | 750,000.00 | 20 Jan 2020 | 57,211.51 |
Project Data Sheets (PDS) contain summary information on the project or program. Because the PDS is a work in progress, some information may not be included in its initial version but will be added as it becomes available. Information about proposed projects is tentative and indicative.
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Title | Document Type | Document Date |
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Enhancing High-Value Crop Diversification: Technical Assistance Report | Technical Assistance Reports | Jan 2020 |
Safeguard Documents See also: Safeguards
Safeguard documents provided at the time of project/facility approval may also be found in the list of linked documents provided with the Report and Recommendation of the President.
None currently available.
Evaluation Documents See also: Independent Evaluation
None currently available.
Related Publications
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Tenders
Tender Title | Type | Status | Posting Date | Deadline |
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Agriculture Sector Policy Specialist (International) | Individual - Consulting | Active | 02 Mar 2021 | 08 Mar 2021 |
Agricultural Finance Specialist (National) | Individual - Consulting | Closed | 26 Jun 2020 | 09 Jul 2020 |
Agriculture Sector Policy Specialist (National) | Individual - Consulting | Closed | 17 Feb 2020 | 01 Apr 2020 |
Agricultural Economist and Team Leader (International) | Individual - Consulting | Closed | 12 Feb 2020 | 18 Feb 2020 |
Contracts Awarded
No contracts awarded for this project were found
Procurement Plan
None currently available.