Nation Building: One Village at a Time

Rural Development
Program
Isahakyan: Shirak
History
 
Formerly known as Kharam and Ghazarapat, the village was founded in 1826. Most of the population are descendants of migrants from villages around Mush and Alashkert.
The village is on the left bank of Akhurian river and had to be relocated because of the construction of the Akhurian reservoir.
The village is the birthplace of great poet Avetik Isahakian
 
 
Projects
 
Completed
ASIF-financial support, ICHD-local government training, 2001-2002
Armenian Education Foundation-renovation of school
Hay Dprots Fund furnishing of the school
Sameli Tel (Italian foundation) partial reconstruction of medical aid unit

Ongoing
USAID-rehabilitation of 2 rooms of health center
MCA construction of Kaps water reservoire, gravity irrigation system
MCA- road rehabilitation program. Isahakyan - Lusaghbyur (4km, C)-Noraber (4km, C)-Gusanagyugh (2km, C)-M1 (1km, C)
Community is included in 3-rd loan program of ASIF
 
 
General Information
 
Distance from Yerevan 145 km
Distance from Marz Center 21 km
Distance from border 0.5 km
 
Altitude above sea level 2,080 meter
Climate Dry continental
   
Historical monuments 7 th century St. Peter and Paul Church, 10-13th century St. Marys Church, Isahakyan house-museum
 
Population: 1.225
       Households 265
 
Total area 3500 hectares
Of which:  
       Pastures 0 hectares
       Arable land 0 hectares
       Orchards 0 hectares
       Forests 0 hectares
 
Land use
 
 
PROGRAM COMPONENTS
 
Infrastructure Assessment
 
The village has no irrigation system and farming is dependent on the weather. There are no processing facilities; the sole milk production factory is not functioning. The village produce is mainly sold in Gyumri. The village needs collection centers to deliver the produce to town markets.
The school was renovated in 2005, the gym needs to be renovated.
Installation of an irrigation system would significantly increase production and boost the well-being of the population.
There is a telephone station, but no access codes; the cellular phone system is not functioning.
 
 
Infrastructure priorities for the rural community of Isahakyan
 
Infrastructure Priorities Total amount needed (AMD) Funding sources
Road 5 km repair (asphalting) MCA- road rehabilitation program. Isahakyan - Lusaghbyur (4km, C)-Noraber (4km, C)-Gusanagyugh (2km, C)-M1 (1km, C)
Irrigation construction of 4 km Millenium Challenges Armenia construction of Kaps water reservoire, gravity irrigation system
Drinking water 2 km of line construction, 40% completed
Electricity
Gas 3 km pipe-line construction
Kindergarten
School
School building with kindergarten has been repaired, gym needs repair and furnishing
Health Care reconstruction of the medical station USAID-rehabilitation of 2 rooms of the health center
Telephone: Cell / Land land line exists, bad access
Internet
TV, radio 4 TV channels received
Community / Cultural Center renovation and furnishing
Lighting and Landscaping
Other Community is included in 3-rd loan program of ASIF
Other
Other
Other
TOTAL NEEDED    
 
 
Economic Assessment
 
Farming and animal husbandry are the main sources of employment in the village, which has 943 hectares of arable land and pasture. Wheat and barley are the main crops.
There are around 1300 heads of cattle, 2560 domesticated birds, 73 beehives.
The village has 12 tractors of different kinds, 5 wheeled tractors, 9 trucks, 4 ploughs, 2 harvesting combines. Most of the machinery has not been replaced since 1978-1980.
 
 
Images from Isahakyan
 

 

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Movies & Videos

This is the regular train that serves the needs of the people of Armenia's Shirak region. It has not been replaced for more than forty years and still bears the (now rusty)symbols of the Soviet Empire. Convenience and comfort are two things one will not find here.

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The Armenia Fund Rural Development Program
Government House #3 Yerevan 0010 Republic of Armenia
E-mail: rdp@himnadram.org; Phone: 521505, 560106 ext. 107