History

Formerly known as Smaverdi, Lusaghbyur was founded in 1828-1830 by Armenians forcibly moved from Mush and Basen.

Projects

Completed ASIF-financial support, ICHD-local government training, 2001-2002, school renovation (for 60 students) (2005) Ongoing MCA construction of Kaps water reservoire, gravity irrigation system WB Rural Enterprises and Small Scale Trade Agriculture Development Project

General Information

Distance from Yerevan 140 km Distance from Marz Center 24 km Distance from border 0.3 km   Altitude above sea level 1500-1700 meter Climate Dry continental     Historical monuments Church   Population: 660        Households 160   Total area 3300 hectares Of which:          Pastures 0 hectares        Arable land 0 hectares        Orchards 0 hectares        Forests 0 hectares   Land use

PROGRAM COMPONENTS

Infrastructure Assessment

Recently the internal irrigation network was dismantled due to its disuse. There is no way of bringing additional drinking water from Gusanagyugh There are no shoops or service centers in the village. The Yerevan-Tbilisi railway and Shirak-Armavir highway pass through the village.

Infrastructure priorities for the rural community of Lusaghbyur

Infrastructure Priorities Total amount needed (AMD) Funding sources Road Rehabilitation and asphalting of 4 km World Bank Rural Enterprises and Small Scale Trade Agriculture Development Project Irrigation No irrigation system Millennium Challenges Armenia construction of Kaps water reservoir, gravity irrigation system Drinking water Construction of 15 km pipeline World Bank Rural Enterprises and Small Scale Trade Agriculture Development Project Electricity World Bank Rural Enterprises and Small Scale Trade Agriculture Development Project Gas Construction of local infrastructure underway World Bank Rural Enterprises and Small Scale Trade Agriculture Development Project Kindergarten School Renovation of kindergarten Health Care Telephone: Cell / Land The local subscribers are connected to an obsolete analogue exchange in Shirakavan, and the quality of service is very bad both within the community and outside of it Internet TV, radio 2 TV channels, very poor reception Community / Cultural Center Construction and furnishing of the cultural center Lighting and Landscaping Other Other Other Other TOTAL NEEDED

Economic Assessment

Agriculture and animal husbandry are main sources of employment in the village. Wheat, barley and perennial herbs are the main crops. The community produces grain, milk and meat (annually nearly 1500 tons of grain, 18 tons meat). Some of the goods are sold at the Gyumri market, but the village needs processing facilities in order to avoid loss of produce. Seasonal variations and the lack of irrigation keep villagers from cultivating high value crops. The village has 7 tractors of different kinds, 2 harvesting combines, and 9 trucks however, these machines are obsolete. The village has 1,295 hectares of pasture and 688 hectares of arable land. There are 1,144 livestock, 600 which are cows, 2412 domesticated birds and 140 beehives. With the addition of proper irrigation, it is possible to grow rich fodder, thus increasing the productivity of the 350 milk cows. The extremely low milk production rate is a direct result of poor feeding techniques. It is also recommended to initiate cattle breeding activities such as artificial insemination. The local conditions are also favorable for intensive sheep growing which would include the production of meat, sheeps milk and wool.