How does Armenia go about becoming self sustainable?

[ara87]

How does Armenia go about becoming self sustainable? Surely there must be a way to become more prosperous without the blockade ending.

For instance, I recently read that about 37% of Armenia's arable land (land that can be used for farming) is either not used, or is misused. If this were to be fixed, it could give more jobs to people through farming and also lower food costs.

Any other ideas on what could be done?

[Mos]

Re: How does Armenia go about becoming self sustainable?

Technology.

We need to make Armenia what it was during Soviet times. Silicon Valley of the region. Bring bright minds to the country, create a country of innovation, with such technology we can become more sufficient in many aspects. Already we are doing well in IT and the tech sphere, we need to improve and improve. Start with education. Make doing business easier in Armenia.

[Haykakan]

Re: How does Armenia go about becoming self sustainable?

The biggest issue facing Armenia is physical security. Since we are not able to guerantee security to our citizens we cannot hope to grow like we should as a nation state. You take out the Russian militery base and we are sitting ducks for our neighbor to the west. We need the russians therefore we are a dependent state and dependent state cannot always act in its own interest. I am amazed that Serj has been able to act as independent as he has(atleast it seems that way anyways) but even he knows there are limitations because of the security issues we face. We can still grow as a country but what we need to be truely independent is security.

[Hyegirl]

Re: How does Armenia go about becoming self sustainable?

What can we in the diaspora do to help Armenia achieve this?

[bell-the-cat]

Re: How does Armenia go about becoming self sustainable?

What can we in the diaspora do to help Armenia achieve this?

In a way, the diaspora supports and maintains Armenia's lack of self sustainability. If it were not for the foreign remittances, Armenia's economy would probably collapse, and if it were not for the ease of migration out of Armenia and into the diaspora, there would be much more poverty in Armenia and probably severe social unrest. So the diaspora needs to promote and help create conditions in Armenia that would stop the diaspora growing and make Armenia no longer need the diaspora.

[bell-the-cat]

Re: How does Armenia go about becoming self sustainable?

How does Armenia go about becoming self sustainable? Surely there must be a way to become more prosperous without the blockade ending.

For instance, I recently read that about 37% of Armenia's arable land (land that can be used for farming) is either not used, or is misused. If this were to be fixed, it could give more jobs to people through farming and also lower food costs.

Any other ideas on what could be done?

I found the extent of environmental destruction in Armenia to be shocking, and especially disturbing given Armenia's small size. A lot of it dates back to Soviet-era misuse (mining, quarrying, and so on) and post-Soviet economic collapse (outside of Yerevan the country is littered with derelict factories and houses) - but there has been no attempt at clearing any of that up. Instead, all there has been is even more destruction in new areas thanks to oligarch-owned mines. Agriculture is mostly neglected by the government - there is no incentive for it to encourage small producers in Armenia because they would compete with the foodstuffs imported and sold through the oligarch monopolies. What Armenia needs to be more self-sustainable is greater democracy, greater social freedoms, a proper rule of law that protects individuals from the corrupt and powerful, and complete economic openness.

[Hyegirl]

Re: How does Armenia go about becoming self sustainable?

So the diaspora needs to promote and help create conditions in Armenia that would stop the diaspora growing and make Armenia no longer need the diaspora.

I'm actually trying to figure out ways to do this. This is for a paper and possibly a project. Things I am considering include:

-Developing a film industry with use of natural resources and creative talent
-Improving access to small business supplies and technology (perhaps small loans and group shipping for large orders going to the same places)
-Creating/improving schools that teach computer/engineering skills and legal processes for starting a business
-A government transparency organization to reveal corruption

If you have any thoughts on these or ideas in general, please let me know.

[Haykakan]

Re: How does Armenia go about becoming self sustainable?

Armenia without security cannot have any of those things. There is a hierarchy of needs then wants and you cannot get to the wants unless you have what you need first.

I found the extent of environmental destruction in Armenia to be shocking, and especially disturbing given Armenia's small size. A lot of it dates back to Soviet-era misuse (mining, quarrying, and so on) and post-Soviet economic collapse (outside of Yerevan the country is littered with derelict factories and houses) - but there has been no attempt at clearing any of that up. Instead, all there has been is even more destruction in new areas thanks to oligarch-owned mines. Agriculture is mostly neglected by the government - there is no incentive for it to encourage small producers in Armenia because they would compete with the foodstuffs imported and sold through the oligarch monopolies. What Armenia needs to be more self-sustainable is greater democracy, greater social freedoms, a proper rule of law that protects individuals from the corrupt and powerful, and complete economic openness.

[Hyegirl]

Re: How does Armenia go about becoming self sustainable?

Armenia without security cannot have any of those things. There is a hierarchy of needs then wants and you cannot get to the wants unless you have what you need first.

How can Armenia gain security? A stronger military? Investing in defense technology?

[KarotheGreat]

Re: How does Armenia go about becoming self sustainable?

Armenia without security cannot have any of those things. There is a hierarchy of needs then wants and you cannot get to the wants unless you have what you need first.

i would say the economy is number one need for any country. Without economy you can not have a military to protect your borders, you cannot buy all those fancy weapons needed to protect your borders.Without an economy your people cannot feed themselves and will abandon the country, it is happening today! So tell me how the situation today is helping the security of Armenia? It seems security is being used as an excuse by the government and its supporters to do what they see fit and the supporters excuse everything that is being done.