Description
Economic opportunities for rural Armenian communities are scarce.  These opportunities along Armenia’s border frontier with Azerbaijan are even more limited.  To help address this important issue, The Paros Foundation has launched several initiatives aimed at job creation in rural communities.  This includes planting more than 800 fruit-bearing trees, establishing a large scale rabbit farm, fertilizer production, small animal feed production and honey production.  These economic development opportunities are all administered under the auspices of the Aygepar Business Incubator, which provides rent-free space, sanitary conditions and marketing and technical expertise to local businesses.
The Paros Foundation has launched a high quality honey production just outside of the village of Verin Tsakhavan in the Berd area of Armenia’s Tavush Region with 50 bee hives. Â The immediate goal is to grow this production to 200 bee hives over the next two years to create commercially viable quantities of high-altitude, raw honey. Â This will lead to expanded job creation and opportunities in the market place as all components of this important project are manufactured locally in the Armenian market including hives, bee families, wax starter sheets and concrete block stands. Â Even the glass jars for sale are manufactured in Armenia!
One complete hive and bee colony costs $250. New hives and colonies will be added to expand the total number in the spring. Individuals that sponsor a complete hive will receive one jar of honey from this year’s harvest, a certificate indicating what number hive was established with their support and the opportunity to personalize their honey jar. Please follow this link to personalize your jar of honey:Â https://forms.gle/Wv1ejDr8QL4yVo3PA
Gallery Images
The Paros Foundation's existing hives are located in a secure and ecologically serine area of Verin Tsakhavan
Our bee keeper regularly checks on the hives progress to ensure the best possible outcome.
50 hives put into production in 2021 with a goal to expand this number to 200.
2021 honey production amounted to almost 800 lbs of high quality honey.The Need
To help combat limited economic opportunities in the Tavush Region’s border communities, The Paros Foundation is working to create job opportunities and collective marketing opportunities via its Aygepar Business Incubator. Expanding honey production will not only create new jobs, but encourage other local residents to expand their beehives as new markets will benefit the entire area.
Short Term Impact
In the short term, an immediate economic impact will be felt through the purchase and expansion of 50 to 75 beehives in the spring. This will effect the hive producers, bee colony farmers, block producers and create addition jobs for bee keepers.
Long Term Impact
In the long term, expanded honey production will create commercially viable quantities of honey both for local consumption and export. Once export markets are established, other local honey producers will have opportunities to export their harvests as well.
Sponsors Benefits
Sponsors that donate at least $250 to “sponsor a hive” will receive a jar of honey from the 2021 harvest along with a certificate noting which hive is sponsored in their name. In addition, all sponsors are listed on The Paros Foundation website. Visits to Tavush and the honey field can be arranged for sponsors visiting Armenia.
Updates: Images & Information
Our honey is packaged and ready for sale in Armenia. Â Sponsors of hives are receiving their honey this week!
Our first year honey harvest has begun! Â As plans to expand the number of hives continues, more and more jobs will be created for both beekeepers, hive manufacturers and those people involved in packaging the honey.
Our Donors (48)
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Mr. & Mrs. Chris & Lucy Yaldezian , In Honor of Yn. Annie Ash
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Developmental Services for Armenia
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Mr. Morley Pitt & Mrs. Elaine Kapjian-Pitt
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Ms. Jaclyn Assarian , In Memory of Tania Chichmanian
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Mr. & Mrs. Peter & Carole Karabashian
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Mr. & Mrs. Hovannes & Elza Malikyan
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Mr. Gerard Rutteman , In Honor of Desmond Tutu
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Mr. & Mrs. Josh & Alvart Cedar
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Mr. & Mrs. Michael & Linda Cirella
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Ms. Lynn Bedrosian , In Memory of Seto Kamian
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Ms. Christyne Davidian
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Pete Abajian
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Mr. & Mrs. Michael & Andrea Frantz , In Honor of Zach Theiler & Hannah Frantz
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Developmental Services for Armenia
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Mr. Shahen Hairapetian & Mrs. Arax Mansourian , In Honor of Steve Berberian
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Drs. Robert & Maral Pigeon , In Honor of Peter & Houry Abajian
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Mr. & Dr. Harout & Lena Soghomonian
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Mr. & Mrs. Simon & Arsho Simitian
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Mr. Oganes Natanyan
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Dr. Alex Bagdasarian
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Dr. Aram Adourian & Dr. Anna Ohanyan
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Mr. & Mrs. Mark & Janis Seraydarian
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Mr. & Mrs. Patrick & Mary Goshtigian
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Ms. Siuneh Minassian
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Ms. Viktorya Aghabekova
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Mr. Diran Depanian
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Mr. Edward Tomassian
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Mr. Anthony Moens
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Mr. & Mrs. Charles & Diana Mkhitarian
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Mr. & Mrs. Greg & Nyire Melconian
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Ms. Christine Keochekian , In Honor of Sarkis Keochekian
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Prof. Stephen John Newton , In Honor of Great Grandmother Elisabeth
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Mr. Alek Toomians
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Mr. Perssy Mergeanian
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Ms. Andrew Esmailian
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Mr. Shahen Hairapetian & Mrs. Arax Mansourian
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Mr. Steven Maginnis
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Mr. & Dr. Varujan & Biana Goncuian
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Ms. Arpie Bosnoyan
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Mr. Dennis Vaznaian & Mrs. Donna Wong
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Mr. & Mrs. Tigran & Carmen Antonian
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Ms. Renita Esayian
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Mrs. Rouzanna Oganissian
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Mr. Alex Cherchian
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Ms. Sonya Moroukian
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Ms. Tamar Nalbandbashian
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Benjamin & Niva Clark
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Developmental Services for Armenia