Armenia launches program to improve milk production

ArmInfo. Armenia starts projects to improve milk production.  Issues related to the launch of the program were discussed on February 20 during a meeting of RA Minister of Agriculture Ignaty Arakelyan with the delegation of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), led by the agricultural economist for Europe and Central Asia John O'Connor.

"For us, this is a very important program, we have a good history in the field of animal husbandry and not a very satisfactory situation, we know where we want to direct our efforts, but we put the questions we hope to get answers from the implementation of this program," said, in particular, Ignaty Arakelyan, whose words are cited by the press service of the RA Ministry of Agriculture. The Minister expressed the hope that as a result of the program implementation a formula for solving the problem will be found, which will allow us to start developing a strategy for long-term development. Ignaty Arakelyan pointed to the importance of improving the condition of pastures and livestock, developing feed production, improving the quality of milk.

John O'Connor, having presented the main provisions of the program, noted that it has two components: the first component concerns the study of the food base, within which alternatives for their production will be selected, after which an economic model will be developed to increase milk production through production He also informed that during the seminar in November this year, in which representatives of the public and private sectors will take part, the results of these studies will be presented In order to develop a strategy, the second study will focus on studying the state of milk processing, and a consumer survey will be conducted.  Based on the results of these studies, an investment "road map" will be created.

Ignaty Arakelyan stressed the importance of close cooperation between the departments of the Ministry of Agriculture in the process of implementing the program. He noted that the Ministry's database contains the results of various studies that can be useful, both in terms of time and resources. The Minister also expressed hope that the results of this program, comparing international experience with the Armenian reality, will present specific solutions aimed at developing the sphere.