Armenian Ministry of Agriculture sums up results of joint work with international donor oranizations in 2015

ArmInfo. Yerevan. The Armenian Ministry of Agriculture is considering introduction of advanced technologies to resist natural disasters, Armenian Deputy Minister of Agriculture Armen Harutyunyan said at a press conference on December 4, when presenting the results of the outgoing year and the upcoming development programs in the agrarian sector.  

The deputy minister said that the three-year European Neighbourhood Programme for Agriculture and Rural Development (ENPARD) was launched in Armenia in January 2015. The cost of the programme is EUR 25 million. The programme aims to stimulate agrarian co-operatives. The Ministry is also considering introduction of advanced technologies to resist natural disasters and implementation of a pilot project on introduction of anti-hail systems. The project is funded by the UNDP.  Under the project, some 30-35 farm enterprises of Armenia will be able to get EU loan funds to set up co-operatives.

A new project aimed at developing organic agriculture will be launched in Armenia on December 15 with the financial support of the EU and the Austrian Development Agency. The three-year project worth EUR 3.3 mln will be open to all farmers of Armenia.    

Harutyunyan said that Advanced Rural Development Initiative (ARDI) worth $4 mln (2013-2018) is being implemented with the financial support of USAID. In addition, programs on formation of veterinary centers and promotion of private consulting are being carried out.

In 2015, the Ministry effectively cooperated with the French Embassy in Armenia. In the outgoing year French experts visited Armenia to modernize the consulting system and the segment of viniculture and winemaking. In 2016 French specialists are expected to visit Armenia to stimulate introduction of advanced technologies in cheese industry.

The deputy minister added that in 2015 Armenia became a member of the International Organisation of Vine and Wine (OIV). With the support of the German Corporation for International Cooperation, representatives of the Armenian scientific and educational institutions will be able to attend and come out with their theses at the events of that authoritative international organization.   

As regards the joint activities related to the EEU agrarian complex, Harutyunyan said that 12 working groups were set up to implement a variety of projects in the agrarian sector.