On February 15, 2010 Paul J. Strasberg, Program Manager, Caucasus Agricultural Development Initiative at USDA FAS in Washington DC while on his first trip to Armenia visited FC member-borrowers during his one-day tour to Ararat and Voyats Dzor marzes.
On February 15, 2010 Paul J. Strasberg, Program Manager, Caucasus Agricultural Development Initiative at USDA FAS in Washington, DC while on his first trip to Armenia visited FC four farmer member-borrowers during his one-day tour to Ararat and Vayots Dzor marzes.
His first visit was to the tomato growing operation in H. Hovhanisyan’s green house in Avshar village. While visiting the farm he was informed by H. Hovhanisyan about tomatoes growing and harvesting process, as well as their marketing. Mr. Strasberg’s second visit was paid to the Simonyan brothers’ dried fruit operation, winery, vineyards, apricot and peach orchards which were located in Areni village, Vayots Dzor marz. He observed the fruit sunny drying building, toured the winery and saw the first tractor leased by FC.
His last visit of the day was to Vayk city (Vayots Dzor marz), “Vayq Group” CJSC winery, the owner thereof A. Zakaryan is a new board member of Farm Credit Armenia. The company has its own wine factory, 430 sq. meters of wine cellar, storehouses. “Vayq Group” CJSC also has apricot, apple, prune, peach, and cherry orchards. Much of the fruit is dried in their drying operation.
The tour was very educational and enjoyable for Paul Strasberg. He now has a much better idea of FC’s lending and leasing programs having an aim to contribute to the development of rural Armenia
On February 03, 2010 Farm Credit Armenia UCO CC held its 4th annual meeting, which gathered over 90 member-borrowers.
During the meeting management of the company reported on actual results and developments achieved during 2009. Mainly, FCA CEO Mr. Armen Gabrielyan announced that the company’s capital increased by 471,000USD funds granted by U.S. Embassy in Armenia. The CEO mentioned that 2009 was the first profitable year for FCA, the portfolio increased by nearly 3 times, and the number of member-borrowers by more than two times. It was also mentioned that FCA launched a new financial leasing product and finances different types of agricultural equipment and machinery. Financial results of 2009 were presented to the general meeting by Chief Accountant of the Company, the COO of the company reported on the developments and future plans of FCA. The member-borrowers voted for a number of important policies, procedures and decisions of FCA.
During the second part of the meeting the member-borrowers elected board members of FCA. 3 new members were elected and 3 current members were reelected to the board. As of now FCA has 6 board members, each representing one marz of FCA’s activities; in addition the board has outside director, which is elected by the board members.
U.S. Ambassador for Armenia Mary Yovanovich was a guest-speaker at the meeting. She congratulated member-borrowers with the 4th anniversary and urged the farmers and agribusiness persons use true coops like FCA to develop their households and agriculture of Armenia.“If you keep growing and operating successfully you will be the model for true cooperatives in your country.I urge you as owners, controllers and beneficiaries of your coop to support it and take an active role in its governance. Tell your story here and in the region. The Armenian farmers and agribusiness persons here today give me hope that rural Armenia will become more viable in the future,”- said the Ambassador.
The general meeting hosted a number of official guests: Fred Johnston, Agricultural Project Coordinator for USDA Caucasus Agricultural Initiative (CADI), Central Bank representatives, representatives from cooperatives associations, Agrarian University, mass media etc.
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On February 15, 2010 Paul J. Strasberg, Program Manager, Caucasus Agricultural Development Initiative at USDA FAS in Washington, DC while on his first trip to Armenia visited FC four farmer member-borrowers during his one-day tour to Ararat and Vayots Dzor marzes. 
On February 03, 2010 Farm Credit Armenia UCO CC held its 4th annual meeting, which gathered over 90 member-borrowers.