“Water worth more than gold”: WFP’s irrigation water lines in Goris are officially up and running

"This water is worth more than gold"- said the head of the Tegh community, Syunik, Davit Ghulunts, about the new irrigation system that has been recently put to use in Syunik.

30 years later, one of the most important issues of this region is being solved - the irrigation water lines in Goris are already up and running, all thanks to WFP Armenia’s efforts.

The opening ceremony took place recently. WFP Armenia Deputy Country Director and Officer-in-Charge, Ms. Nanna Skau, together with representatives of local self-government bodies, as well as the head of the Goris sub-delegation of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), Muhammad Khavtsukov, cut the red ribbon attached to the water line, marking the beginning of irrigation.

At the end of 2021, WFP started implementing an irrigation water infrastructure project in eleven villages across four communities in the Syunik region. The construction of more than 35 km of irrigation canals will water more than 1000 hectares of land, promoting agricultural development that will enhance market opportunities for vulnerable farmers and create opportunities for farmers to effectively engage in high-value agriculture.

In addition, to promote the economic viability of agricultural activities in Syunik, WFP is investing in the profitable legume value chain. The goal is to give local communities better access to food and knowledge related to agribusiness while at the same time providing employment opportunities for both men and women.

In response to the increasing numbers of food insecure people in the southern regions of Armenia, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has opened a new office in Kapan city to help with its expanding operations in the Syunik region. WFP will support communities relying on agriculture as a source of employment by helping with irrigation systems and efforts to build sustainable, climate-sensitive food systems.