Counting cost of hail that hit three days before harvest
The hail of August 7, 2009 turned green mountains and fields to white within seconds. Hectares of land under wheat, clover, corn, oats, potatoes, tomatoes, pepper and sunflower were destroyed just three days before the harvest.
“Villagers were ready to harvest the wheat and potato yield. But a fifteen-minute hail storm destroyed 300 ha of land causing immense damage to our villagers who remained empty-handed”, said Araik Nersisyan, the head of Koghes community.
From the very first minute of the hail we understood that all our efforts to have a good harvest were in vain Koghes is one of the remote communities in Stepanavan region in north-east Armenia. Though the road to Koghes is challenging and almost impassable, the scenery makes up for it with its stunning mountains and dazzling colour,
Historically Greeks and Armenians have lived here sharing their hardships and joy. Today the village has some 428 residents, mainly involved in land cultivation growing wheat, potato, and different vegetables. The agricultural season begins in March and ends late in October when farmers celebrate the harvest.
Garik Danielyan, 35 has a 1,200-metre garden in front of his house. When World Vision suggested that Garik test a new and relatively simple and inexpensive technology of cultivating land he readily agreed, hoping to increase his harvest four times over. Keeping distance between beds, using T-shape wooden sticks around the crops to encourage the vegetables to climb up the sticks and using natural chemicals and fertilizers in the right proportions were just three of the steps he followed.
“We have a small plot but it is the only stable source of income for my family. From the very first minute of the hail we understood that all our efforts to have a good harvest were in vain”, said Garik Danielyan.
“It was so painful to see how the matured crops were being damaged. I really would have gained a better yield due to my new knowledge if not for the hail… What I have learned from World Vision I will apply next year”, he continued with sadness written across his face.
“My father was so proud of this new technology and his success. He was checking the yield every day. I know my parents were counting on that yield a lot”, shared Garik’s son, 12-year-old Samvel.
Garik’s wife Marine Zakaryan, 32 leads a dancing club where children learn Armenian and Greek dances. The club is the only oasis for children of Koghes Village to have structured and fun interaction. Though she puts a lot of energy into teaching the children, it does not bring much income with villagers only paying for her services when they are able. Marine knows all too well that cultivation of this small plot is so vital for her family.
“My husband works hard to have a good harvest from our small plot. Of course, we cannot sell the yield - it is enough only for our consumption. But it assures nutritious food for our children”, explained Marine.
Marine, like other village women, preserves dries fruits and vegetables in order to enjoy tasty and nutritious food throughout the long winters. This year it will be hard for Marine to feed her children in winter and she cannot even count on support from her relatives and neighbours because they too lost their harvest.
“When the hail started I was so afraid; water was everywhere, it was running from the roof and walls”, shared Haik, 9 with fear in his eyes. The Danielyan house is made of thick cardboard and is unable to withstand heavy rain and snow.
Araik Nersisyan explained that almost 480 tonnes of wheat was damaged by the hail. The market price per tonne of wheat is 100,000 AMD (US$2,587). Villagers approached local government bodies to receive subsidies or in kind support as a response to the emergency. However, this year’s unexpected precipitations and cold weather have destroyed fields and orchards in almost all Armenian communities and the government is unable to tackle the consequences of unfavourable climate during the Global Financial Crisis.
“Many farmers invested in their farms by taking small loans. Now they have to pay the interest”, explained Edgar Danielyan, World Vision Stepanavan Area Development Programme (ADP) specialist.
We are Christians and strongly believe that we should be grateful to God even for such a poor harvest "All we can do is to provide the villagers in urgent need with diesel and wheat seeds. Unfortunately, World Vision’s reserved funds are limited and we will only be able to support the farmers in Koghes village”, said Stepanavan ADP Manager Liana Sargsyan.
“Support also came from World Vision Taiwan. We will spend US$37,000 to construct a green house in each affected community”, continued Liana.
After the hail farmers still invested money to harvest the remaining wheat, spending two-three times more than the expected income from the harvest.
“We are Christians and strongly believe that we should be grateful to God even for such a poor harvest”, said Araik.
As in previous years, villagers will celebrate the harvest in October with prayers for a better yield in 2010.
-Ends-
“Villagers were ready to harvest the wheat and potato yield. But a fifteen-minute hail storm destroyed 300 ha of land causing immense damage to our villagers who remained empty-handed”, said Araik Nersisyan, the head of Koghes community.
From the very first minute of the hail we understood that all our efforts to have a good harvest were in vain Koghes is one of the remote communities in Stepanavan region in north-east Armenia. Though the road to Koghes is challenging and almost impassable, the scenery makes up for it with its stunning mountains and dazzling colour,
Historically Greeks and Armenians have lived here sharing their hardships and joy. Today the village has some 428 residents, mainly involved in land cultivation growing wheat, potato, and different vegetables. The agricultural season begins in March and ends late in October when farmers celebrate the harvest.
Garik Danielyan, 35 has a 1,200-metre garden in front of his house. When World Vision suggested that Garik test a new and relatively simple and inexpensive technology of cultivating land he readily agreed, hoping to increase his harvest four times over. Keeping distance between beds, using T-shape wooden sticks around the crops to encourage the vegetables to climb up the sticks and using natural chemicals and fertilizers in the right proportions were just three of the steps he followed.
“We have a small plot but it is the only stable source of income for my family. From the very first minute of the hail we understood that all our efforts to have a good harvest were in vain”, said Garik Danielyan.
“It was so painful to see how the matured crops were being damaged. I really would have gained a better yield due to my new knowledge if not for the hail… What I have learned from World Vision I will apply next year”, he continued with sadness written across his face.
“My father was so proud of this new technology and his success. He was checking the yield every day. I know my parents were counting on that yield a lot”, shared Garik’s son, 12-year-old Samvel.
Garik’s wife Marine Zakaryan, 32 leads a dancing club where children learn Armenian and Greek dances. The club is the only oasis for children of Koghes Village to have structured and fun interaction. Though she puts a lot of energy into teaching the children, it does not bring much income with villagers only paying for her services when they are able. Marine knows all too well that cultivation of this small plot is so vital for her family.
“My husband works hard to have a good harvest from our small plot. Of course, we cannot sell the yield - it is enough only for our consumption. But it assures nutritious food for our children”, explained Marine.
Marine, like other village women, preserves dries fruits and vegetables in order to enjoy tasty and nutritious food throughout the long winters. This year it will be hard for Marine to feed her children in winter and she cannot even count on support from her relatives and neighbours because they too lost their harvest.
“When the hail started I was so afraid; water was everywhere, it was running from the roof and walls”, shared Haik, 9 with fear in his eyes. The Danielyan house is made of thick cardboard and is unable to withstand heavy rain and snow.
Araik Nersisyan explained that almost 480 tonnes of wheat was damaged by the hail. The market price per tonne of wheat is 100,000 AMD (US$2,587). Villagers approached local government bodies to receive subsidies or in kind support as a response to the emergency. However, this year’s unexpected precipitations and cold weather have destroyed fields and orchards in almost all Armenian communities and the government is unable to tackle the consequences of unfavourable climate during the Global Financial Crisis.
“Many farmers invested in their farms by taking small loans. Now they have to pay the interest”, explained Edgar Danielyan, World Vision Stepanavan Area Development Programme (ADP) specialist.
We are Christians and strongly believe that we should be grateful to God even for such a poor harvest "All we can do is to provide the villagers in urgent need with diesel and wheat seeds. Unfortunately, World Vision’s reserved funds are limited and we will only be able to support the farmers in Koghes village”, said Stepanavan ADP Manager Liana Sargsyan.
“Support also came from World Vision Taiwan. We will spend US$37,000 to construct a green house in each affected community”, continued Liana.
After the hail farmers still invested money to harvest the remaining wheat, spending two-three times more than the expected income from the harvest.
“We are Christians and strongly believe that we should be grateful to God even for such a poor harvest”, said Araik.
As in previous years, villagers will celebrate the harvest in October with prayers for a better yield in 2010.
-Ends-
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