The “Chir-Chir” project was launched in 2022 to help vulnerable families in rural areas improve the way they dry fruits and vegetables. The goal was to make the process safer, more efficient, and more profitable.

Many families used to dry produce on unsafe materials like asbestos. The project provided a safer alternative by distributing 1,850 drying nets to 280 people—most of them women. These nets allow families to dry up to 20 kg of fruits and vegetables per season, with a total potential output of 37,000 kg. To stand out in the market, the project focused on drying less common products like walnuts and tomatoes, instead of the usual apricots and apples. It also helped producers add value by giving 20 electric grinders to those drying more than 100 kg per year. This allowed them to make new products like fruit lavash and chocolate-covered fruits.

Training was also an important part of the project. Over 200 people took part in workshops that covered safe drying methods, marketing, and sales. In the Vayots Dzor region, two small dried fruit production units were set up in Areni and Khachik villages. These were equipped with electric dryers, stainless steel tables, and other tools to ensure high-quality and safe production. Thanks to “Chir-Chir,” rural families now have better tools, more knowledge, and new ways to earn income through dried fruit production.

You can download the “Practical Manual for the Production of Dried Fruits and Vegetables” by clicking on the image.