History

The area of the present-day Ghazanchi is referred to in Urartian annals as Ishkigula. The region later became a part of the Ayrarat province of Armenia. The present-day community was formed by settlers from the rural community of Iritsu, Alashkert, starting in the 1840s. The inhabitants are traditionally Catholic. This community has given birth to a number of prominent academicians including Vardges Mikaelian, Gevorg Mikaelian, Sargis Harutyunian, Hakob Mikaelian, and the painter Alexander Grigorian.

Projects

Completed ASIF-financial support ICHD-local government training, 2001-2002 Ongoing Ministry of Agriculture RESCAPP road, irrigation, drinking water, electricity, gas

General Information

Distance from Yerevan 170 km Distance from Marz Center 40 km Distance from border 10 km   Altitude above sea level 2,030 meter Climate Mountainous, severe winters, moderate summers     Historical monuments Remnants of a 10-12th century and inn, old Greek cemetery   Population: 600        Households 147   Total area 3200 hectares Of which:          Pastures 0 hectares        Arable land 0 hectares        Orchards 0 hectares        Forests 0 hectares   Land use

PROGRAM COMPONENTS

Infrastructure Assessment

There is public transport from the village to the nearest city and cellular connection. Remote distance from main markets is a serious constraint to development. There is no irrigation system and the agricultural activity depends greatly on weather conditions. The village has two small shops and a post office.

Infrastructure priorities for the rural community of Ghazanchi

Infrastructure Priorities Total amount needed (AMD) Funding sources Road 3 km repair RA Ministry o Agriculture, World Bank Rural Enterprises and Small-scale Commercial Agriculture Development Project Irrigation No irrigation system RA Ministry o Agriculture, World Bank Rural Enterprises and Small-scale Commercial Agriculture Development Project Drinking water 5 km pipeline reconstruction RA Ministry o Agriculture, World Bank Rural Enterprises and Small-scale Commercial Agriculture Development Project Electricity RA Ministry o Agriculture, World Bank Rural Enterprises and Small-scale Commercial Agriculture Development Project Gas 7 km pipeline construction RA Ministry o Agriculture, World Bank Rural Enterprises and Small-scale Commercial Agriculture Development Project Kindergarten School Health Care Telephone: Cell / Land Internet TV, radio 3 TV channels Community / Cultural Center Renovation of cultural center Lighting and Landscaping Other Other Other Other TOTAL NEEDED

Economic Assessment

Animal husbandry is the main source of employment for the community, annually producing some 3 metric tons of meat, 1200 tons of milk, and 1.4 tons of wool. The products are processed at the Ashotsk cheese factory and Ashtarak Milk dairy factory and/or sold at the market. There are nearly 1200 heads of cattle of which 490 are milk cows and a veterinarian conducts immunization regularly. Setting-up a dairy factory and/or a meat processing enterprise would significantly increase the development of the sub-region of Ashotsk. The local agroclimatic conditions are also favorable for intensive sheep farming including production of lamb meat, sheep milk and wool. Land use consists of 1373 hectares of arable land, 843 hectares of pastures, and 540 hectares of grassland. The supply of fertilizers and seeds is not sufficient. Some portions of the land are not privatized. The village has 40 different tractors, 15 trucks, 5 plough tractors, 3 harvesting systems. None have been replaced since 1990. Availability of favorably-termed loans to Ghazanchis farmers will substantially ease realization of any agricultural development project.

Images from Ghazanchi