The Production of “LOVE” Tea

In the framework of “Social and Economic Empowerment of Women in Armenia” project there have been studied and developed 5 local economic development models (LED), incorporating 43 communities of RA Lori Region. The LED models have given a chance to reveal the advantages of economic means of the communities, and to define the social and economic range of values aimed at development.
The LED models have given a chance to reveal that Akhtala, Shamlukh, Mets Ayrum, and Chochkan communities have great supplies of herbs and berries, and which in their turn have a great possibility of becoming an eco-product, and being harvested and sold.
So in 2014, with the aim to use this potential, AYWA applied to US Department of State and received support and fulfilled the “Joint Efforts for Development” project. The project plans to increase the efficiency of sales and gathering of wild berries and herbs in Akhtala, Shamlugh, Mets Ayrum and Neghoc communities of Lori region. Through promotion of women’s teamwork and responsibility, as well as through their professional skills development, use of innovation and technical upgrade of groups.
Within the project groups of berries and herbs gatherer women have been developed in Akhtala, Shamlugh, Neghoc and Mets Ayrum communities.
In the framework of the project in the communities of Akhtala, Shamlukh, Neghots, and Mets Ayrum there were established the teams which were engaged in harvesting of herbs and berries; and these groups comprised more than 200 women.
In addition, in Akhtala town, thanks to “Social and Economic Empowerment of Women in Armenia” project there was established a social enterprise with a dryer system intended for herbs. In the process of harvesting and packaging of herbs there are involved more than 200 women form different communities. Today about 10 kinds of “LOVE” tea can be found in different shops.