6. Farmer Market Access Programme

The following economically active target groups were supported under the programme: Programme investments were carried out under the two main components: Rural Finance and Rural Infrastructure.

To promote the development of agricultural production value chain, the Fund for Rural Economic Development in Armenia (FREDA) was established under the programme, through which equity financing is provided to private agri-processing enterprises on condition to repurchase the shares in the future. The Rural Finance Facility (RFF) established under the Rural Areas Economic Development Programme was allocated additional funds to provide loans to small and medium enterprises. The Rural Infrastructure component's objective is to support private sector actions and trade opportunities aimed at sustainable poverty reduction through improving social and economic infrastructure in mountain communities neighbouring previous IFAD programme areas.

Loan                              # - I-380-AM 
Total programme cost      USD 57.2 million 
IFAD loan                       USD 8.0 million
Effective from                 12/04/1995