Pioneering greenhouse gives fresh produce in Armenian mountains

Pioneering greenhouse gives fresh produce in Armenian mountains

“When I decided to establish a greenhouse, which was something completely new in this region, everyone doubted I could manage it. Today, people are buying my tomatoes and my business is prospering,” says Vahram Parsamyan, surveying his first bumper crop.

Vahram’s greenhouse is the only one in Sisian region, southern Armenia. His produce of red, ripened tomatoes is well-liked by local villagers.

But more importantly, income from the greenhouse has given Vahram, 43, his wife, Lusine, 31, and their two children a home of their own.

Gap in the market

Vahram’s road from unemployment to success required creativity, bravery and years of hard work. Fellow villagers in Noravan doubted his entrepreneurial endeavour, as no greenhouses existed in the region.

But Vahram had spotted a gap in the market.

Conducting a thorough analysis of the region’s agricultural market, he found that demand for fresh produce – and vegetables in particular – was high in spring and early summer.

Situated high in the mountains of the Sisian region, Noravan’s cold and windy climate slows the growth of vegetables and fruits up to late summer and early autumn.

Noravan’s villagers must travel some 40 minutes on a dusty dirt road to the city of Sisian, where they buy vegetables at high prices from the main regional market.

Vahram’s pioneering journey had begun.

Agricultural loan

In 2004, a loan from a World Vision microfinance institution enabled him to start a cow-breeding project as a member of a group. That same year Vahram married Lusine, who soon became pregnant with their first son, Gor. The newly-formed family had little money, but with help from relatives, were able to rent a small house at a low price.

“We knew that we couldn’t stay in that house for long – we needed to buy our own house,” says Lusine.

Vahram worked hard to pay back the loan and develop the cow-breeding business, which proved a wise investment. However, he realised that cow breeding was very common in Sisan region and that his cows would only bring him so much profit.

“Cow breeding was a good start for my family. I purchased two cows that provided my family with fresh milk every day, and I was able to put aside some money to buy a house for us.  But I knew that if I wanted to earn more money, I needed to start something new.”

The first greenhouse in Sisian

It was then that Vahram had his groundbreaking idea. Since Noravan is predominantly known for cattle breeding, Vahram’s greenhouse proposal seemed odd not only to fellow villagers, but also to the microfinance institution. However, they were willing to give him a chance – and a second loan – with which Vahram established the first greenhouse in Sisian region, in the yard of the family home.

“It was a rather daring enterprise. We weren’t well acquainted with the techniques of running a greenhouse and cultivating vegetables, and there was no one whom we could turn to for advice. We were doing and learning simultaneously.”

Vahram worked day and night at the greenhouse, with support from his wife. His work doubled when he also began working day shifts, devoting evenings to the greenhouse.

Lusine explains their motivation.

“Everything we do, we do for our children.”

The couple’s hard work provided them with the hoped-for results: their greenhouse yielded three tons of tomatoes this summer. Vahram is delighted.

“I fought for every seedling to grow and to produce healthy vegetables.”