Presently he is concerned with the biggest broblem of the youth of the region-joblessness that obliges them to depart from the country. Taking into consideration this fact, Hakob above all aims to establish honey production enterprise that will give many workplace opportunities to the youth of the region. Secondly he looks for partners willing to share information and cooperate with him regarding honey, bee venom, wax, propolis marketing and exporting possibilities of these vital products. It's evident of course that all these goals depend on financial and information support.

Being born on April 24, 1961 (village Khatchakpjur, Vardenis region) in a large family of a modest and honest teacher and beekeeper Norair Hakob Hayruni, he inherited all the wisdom and knowledge from his father and grandfather who had emigrated from the Western Armenia during the Armenian Genocide.

Since early childhood Hakob, together with his 5 sisters and a brother, were involved in beekeeping learning all the skills and competences which are needed to "bring up" healthy and strong bees.

In 1983 graduating from Yerevan State University, Faculty of Mathematics he returned home as a qualified teacher and started to teach at school.

However, his vacant time Hakob devoted to beekeeping: reading professional books, magazines, scientific articles and afterwards developing all the obtained knowledge through his own experience and skills.

After a short period of time Hakob becomes a famous beekeeper not only in the village, but also in the whole territorial region. Many beekeeps, both old and young, apply to him for an advice, support or consultation. All the requsts are always being satisfied and fulfilled.

Moreover, soon many articles dedicated to Hakob and his beefamilies appear in newspapers, magazines and programs on TV . ( The last publication see on page 33, 3rd issue, 1999 of the magazine"Nor gjugh" ("new village'')

Being a hard worker, humble and honest person he is always blessed with prosperity. His harvest is never cut off. But... even the puriest honey has the problem of consumption nowadays.

From 10 to 12 ton of pure honey is produced annually in the mountainous alpine zones and fields of Vardenis and Karvachar characterized with its utmost diversity of flowers. Hundreds of flowers are included in it's composition, among them are thyme, mint, matricaria, melilot, clover, wild onobrychis, different kinds of prickles, nettle, helichrysum and others. The qualitative indexes excell all the international standarts. (the certificate is given by the National Health Institute of the Republic of Armenia)

Nevertheless, half of it is sold every year, the rest remains unconsumed. Facing this problem, Hakob is often compelled to sell bees.

But despite these difficulties, Hakob continues to develop his "property'' realizing the importance of bee products: bee venom, propolis and of course honey and at the same time hoping that a day will come that he will be thinking only about how to produce bee products and not how to consume it.

If you have any supportive and useful information that can help Hakob, don't hesitate to contact Mr. Hayruni by e-mail or by phone 629358

Vrej Kassouny (cartoons)
Albert Bebelian (photodiary)
Mary Saroyan (and Co.)
Hayk A. Martirosyan