Friday, November 30 2018 12:25

ArmInfo.Acting Armenian Minister of Agriculture Gegham Gevorgyan received a delegation, led by French Ambassador to Armenia Jonathan Lacote on November 29.  Expert Antoine Luri, who arrived in Armenia to assess the possibilities of technical assistance under the "Development of Irrigated Agriculture" program was also present at the meeting.

According to the information of the RA Ministry of Agriculture's  press service, the program will be implemented by the Agricultural  Development Fund of Armenia with assistance of the French Development  Agency (AFD). The goal of the program is to develop intensive  agriculture and introduce modern irrigation systems in Armenia  through technical assistance and investments. Important components of  the program are the consolidation of agriculturally used lands and  establishment of 20 cooperatives, with an area of about 100 hectares  each.

Highly appreciating the assistance of the French side in the  development and implementation of the program, Gegham Gevorgyan  suggested concluding an agreement on its implementation as soon as  possible and gradually starting practical actions. Noting the  centuries-old experience of French winemakers and their credibility  the Acting Minister also urged to use the experience of French  specialists in the implementation of a system for the production of  wines with geographical indication.

The interlocutors also touched upon the "branding" of Armenian  agricultural products, and the prospects for the exchange of  experience in the field of agriculture.

The French Development Agency (AFD) jointly with the EU within the  framework of the "Irrigated Agriculture" program will provide Armenia  with a grant of 10 million euros. The program is designed for three  years (2018-2020), its goal is to improve the irrigation system in  Armavir and Ararat regions. Funding will be directed to the  introduction of a drip irrigation system, the lay out of intensive  gardens, the processing of fruit crops, the laying of secondary  irrigation canals and land consolidation. The funds will be allocated  to the Agricultural Development Fund, which, in turn, will be  responsible for the implementation of the program. This program is  interconnected with another project, also funded by AFD, the Vedi  reservoir construction program. The program envisages the enlargement  of a number of communities in the Ararat region, located next to the  Vedi reservoir, which is under construction, where it is planned to  introduce a drip irrigation system. The construction of the reservoir  should ensure reliable irrigation of 7,500 hectares of lands of the  Ararat plain. It is expected that, following the implementation of  the two programs, it will be possible to resolve the issue of  irrigation of agricultural lands in the region.

Earlier, ArmInfo reported that in January 2016, a loan agreement  worth EUR 75 million was signed between Armenia and the French  Development Agency for the construction of the Vedi reservoir. The  document was signed on the basis of the strategic program for the  perspective development of Armenia for 2014-2025. The loan is granted  for a period of 20 years with a six-year grace period. The  construction of the dam and auxiliary infrastructures is scheduled  for completion in March 2021.