In terms of solving the problems faced by agriculture and increasing competitiveness, the joint activity of business entities in agriculture is especially emphasized, particularly through formation of cooperatives.

The policy of promoting cooperatives is one of important components of the state policy in the agrarian sector. This is evidenced by a number of guiding program documents underlying the state policy in the field of agriculture. Among these documents are the RA Government Program approved by the RA Government Decree No. 1363-A dated on 18 August, 2021, 2020-2030 Strategy of the Main Directions Ensuring the Economic Development of the RA Agricultural Sector approved by the RA Government Decree No.1886-L dated December 19, 2019.

Legal and regulatory framework

Consumers’ cooperatives (RA Law “On Consumer Cooperatives”, Civil Code of the Republic of Armenia)

Agricultural cooperatives (RA Law No. HO-190-N “On Agricultural Cooperatives”),

The procedure and requirements for maintaining the register of members of agricultural cooperatives (RA Government Decree No.1187-N dated on 18 November, 2016)

Information materials

“Agricultural Cooperatives/“The benefits and charm of working together” booklet by ENPARD Armenia Technical Assistance Program
“Cooperative Marketing” training manual

Currently, there are about 497 agricultural and consumer cooperatives operating in the agricultural sector and having different agricultural orientations, of which 153 (31%) are agricultural and 344 (69%) are consumer cooperatives.

The main areas of activities of the cooperatives are: plant cultivation, animal breeding, mixed agriculture, fruit farming, vegetable farming, grain crops farming, milk collection and recruitment, beekeeping, provision of services through agricultural machinery, and pasture management.

MAIN DIRECTIONS OF ACTIVITY OF AGRICULTURAL COOPERATIVES OPERATING IN THE REPUBLIC OF ARMENIA

The following are especially emphasized in this sector:

State support programs implemented under the coordination of the RA Ministry of Economy, whereby more preferential conditions are set mainly for agricultural cooperatives. More detailed information on these programs can be found here.