Producing high quality seed potatoes

In 1991, after the privatisation of rural land in Armenia, twenty two people formed the Sermnabouyts solidarity group in the village of Vardablour, within the Lori region of the country. This venture proved very successful and led to a great improvement in the lives of those involved. However, the group is concerned for more than itself, and has become well known for its generosity to others.

The members of the Sermnabouyts solidarity group, which has benefited from an Armenian ECLOF loan, grow 2,500 tons of potatoes each year, of which 1200 tons are seed potatoes. The remaining 1,300 tons are sold for general consumption. The group also produces 650 tons of corn per year, of which just under half is for seeds, with the rest sold as food.

Sermnabouyts began with 22 members and 55 hectares of land. Now, there are 30 members and 75 workers connected with the micro-enterprise, and a total of 244 direct beneficiaries, taking into account families and employees. Workers cultivate 240 hectares of private lands and 50 rented hectares. At peak times during the year the number of workers rises to between 150 and 200 people. The best cultivated lands in the Stepanavan sub-region of Lori are in Vardablour and Kourtan, and it is generally acknowledged that these two villages produce the highest quality potatoes and corn in the region and beyond.

 

Preparing potatoes at harvest time in Armenia to sell to waiting buyers from local villages.

Not all parts of Armenia are suitable for producing seed potatoes, and farmers from such areas often turn to the Lori region for their supplies. In order to produce the best quality and largest crop, it is important to have high quality seed potatoes each year. Potatoes grown from good seeds are in high demand by consumers, and naturally a bigger crop means a higher income for the growers. For these reasons, there is a great call on the Sermnabouyts solidarity group for their seed potatoes.

Thanks to the way the population of Vardablour works collectively, fewer people than in neighbouring villages leave to search for work elsewhere. The Sermnabouyts solidarity group is, of course, part of this and none of its members has gone abroad, unlike many other Armenians.

As well as being well regarded in other regions of Armenia. Sermnabouyts locally has a good reputation, not only for its high quality produce but also because of the help it gives to many local people. For instance, the group's farm machinery and agricultural supplies are shared with others in Vardablour and the nearby village of Yaghdan. Members also help their fellow farmers at harvest time.

Thanks to its income, the group has bought a threshing mill, where villagers can thresh their wheat for a small fee; pensioners and other vulnerable people receive this service for free.Sermnabouyts also runs a bakery and distributes breadlocally, including to elderly people and those in need.

 

Tasty loaves baked by Hrachuhy Tumanyan, a member in the Sermnabouyts solidarity group's bakery

After harvesting, any potatoes or wheat that cannot be sold are given to local farmers to use as animal fodder. In addition, every year the solidarity group gives potatoes, bread, flour and wood to the village school and kindergarten, as well as to poor families and pensioners.

Because of the income they earn, Sermnabouyts's members are able to pay for their children's education. Not only are there pupils at primary and secondary schools but seven members of the group have been able to send their children to further education colleges and polytechnics.