Armenian Agriculture Minister and Argentine Ambassador discussed prospects of development of market of consulting services in the agricultural sphere

ArmInfo. Minister of Agriculture of Armenia, Ignatiy Arakelyan, received a  delegation headed by the Ambassador of Argentina to Armenia Gonzalo  Urriolabeitia on June 30. The parties discussed a technical program  aimed at strengthening the mechanization of agricultural work.

According to Armenian Agriculture Ministry press service, Ignaty  Arakelyan noted the importance of developing the market of consulting  services in agro-sphere, thanking the Government of Argentina for the  support in this direction. "Our goal is to strengthen the potential  of the market of consulting services in the field of agriculture with  the help of the program, as well as to ensure the effectiveness of  the science- consulting-farmer line in the education system," the  Minister said.

The Head of Ministry of Agriculture was informed that on June 26-30,  within the framework of the program of cooperation between Armenian  and Argentine  Ministries of Foreign Affairs and with the cooperation  with the American Corporation, in order to implement the consulting  in the agricultural sector of the Republic, the expert groups of the  National Institute of Agrarian Technologies ) and the Argentinean  Association AACREA with farmers and representatives of the regional  centers for the promotion of agriculture in Gegharkunik and Ararat  districts of Armenia. The current program envisages the visit of  consultants to Argentina aimed at exchanging experience and  participating in retraining courses. In addition, in 2018, Argentina  plans to organize trainings and videoconferences for specialists from  Armenia.

According to the statistics data, in Armenia, economic activity in  January-May 2017 increased by 6.4% per annum versus the backdrop of  the prevalence of rising import rates over exports. In May this year  by May 2016, economic activity increased by 8.9%, but only in May  2017 - by 11.7%. According to preliminary data of the National  Statistical Service of Armenia, the growth of economic activity in  January-May 2017 to a greater extent determined the industrial sector  - by 14.4% per annum, trade - by 12.8%, services - by 11%, versus  which the growth of energy complex looked modest - 4.6% per annum. At  the same time, the agricultural sector and the construction sector  retain a downward trend, respectively by 3.5% and 12.1% per annum.

Meanwhile, according to the Government program for the upcoming 5  years, during 2017-22 Armenia plans to increase agriculture  production minimum by 5% annually.