Description
Economic opportunities for rural Armenian communities are scarce.  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 pig 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 successfully launched a high quality honey production just outside of the village of Verin Tsakhavan and later, in the village of Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur in the Berd area of Armenia’s Tavush Region with 200 bee hives. Â This was all done with the generous support of Dr. & Mrs. Gary and Linda Assarian (MI-USA). Â
Now the goal is to expand this production adding 50 more bee hives into a new community. Â This will both add to the commercially viable quantities of high-altitude, raw honey, and will lead to expanded job creation and opportunities in the market place. All components of this important project are manufactured locally in the Armenian market including the hives, bee families, wax starter sheets and concrete block stands. Â Even the glass jars for sale are manufactured in Armenia!
In addition to this projects job creating and economic benefits, as with the hives in Nerkin Karmir Aghbyur, these new hives will serve as an educational curriculum for students at the school in the new village that is ultimately selected. Â This living classroom approach has proved very successful to date.
One complete hive and bee colony costs $300. 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.
Gallery Images
The Paros Foundation's existing hives are located in a secure and ecologically serine area of Verin Tsakhavan
2021 honey production amounted to almost 800 lbs of high quality honey.
Honey produced at the Aygepar Incubator is for sale at various supermarkets throughout Yerevan.
Students at the school in Nerkin Karmir Aghybur work in the field as part of their education.The Need
To help combat limited economic opportunities in rural 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 and help educate rural village children in the process of beekeeping, 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 new beehives in the spring. This will effect the hive producers, bee colony farmers, block producers and create addition jobs for bee keepers and teachers at the local school.
Long Term Impact
In the long term, expanded honey production will create commercially viable quantities of honey both for local consumption and export. As children at the school take interest in and gain beekeeping skills, they too will consider establishing hives for their own family’s use. 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 $300 to “sponsor a hive” will receive a jar of honey from the 2022 harvest. In addition, all sponsors are listed on The Paros Foundation website. Visits to the honey field can be arranged for sponsors visiting Armenia.
Updates: Images & Information
A new field of 50 bee hives has been set up in the village of Gusanagyugh. First, the bee boxes were delivered. After the bees were delivered, The Paros team carefully placed the bees in their new bee boxes.
Our Donors (30)
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Mr. & Dr. Jean-Marie & Lori Atamian
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Anonymous
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Anonymous
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Mr. Vahram Gurjian
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Mr. Alek Toomians
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Ms. Adrienne Krikorian
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Ms. Nancy Barsamian
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Mr. & Mrs. Dean Pastras & Deborah Bajakian
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Mr. & Mrs. Greg & Lori Garabedian
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Mr. Kevin Cerrone & Ms. Christine Lagana
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Mr. Sarkis H. Alanjian & Mrs. Arusyak Balikyan
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Edward & Pamela Avedisian Charitable Trust
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Mr. & Mrs. Assadour & Lena Kizirian , In Honor of Nvair Demirjian Tatoulian
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Armenian Renaissance Association
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Anonymous
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Renita
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Arax Mansourian & Shahen Hairapetian
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Mr. & Mrs. Michael & Linda Cirella
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Mr. & Mrs. Michael & Linda Cirella
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Anonymous
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Mr. Armen Skenderian
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Anonymous
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Dr. & Mrs. Armen & Alina Vartany
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Ms. Bridget Abajian
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Anonymous
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Mr. Steven Maginnis
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Mr. Alek Toomians
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Anonymous
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Mr. Diran Depanian
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Ms. Diane Barsam , In Memory of Anoush Barsam