8. Rural Assets Creation Programme (RACP)
The overall goal of the programme is to reduce rural poverty in the Republic of Armenia.
The main objectives include: establishing economically viable fruits and nuts sector with backward linkages to poor rural smallholders, introducing modern horticultural practices, establishing modern demonstrative orchards, supporting the whole value chain in horticulture, developing a special financial product for orchard establishment, rehabilitating infrastructure in rural areas, developing a special lending product for establishment of new orchards by farmers who are not in a contractual relationship.
The Program will be effective until the end of 2015. The programme funds amount to around USD 52 million, of which:
IFAD – around USD 14 million (including IFAD Grant of USD 500,000);
OFID - USD 20 million;
DANIDA - around USD 4.2 million (Grant);
RA Government – around USD 11 million;
Beneficiaries - around USD 3 million.
RACP components are:
- Support to Fruits and Nuts Sector
- Rural Infrastructure
- Programme Management
- Rural Financing (Horticultural Loans)
RACP target areas are Aragatsotn, Lori, Shirak, Vayotz Dzor, Syunik, Gegharkunik and Tavush marzes of the Republic of Armenia.
Programme's Fruits and nuts sector development component will only be implemented in Tavush, Vayots Dzor and Aragatsotn marzes of Armenia.
