ArmInfo. In 2018, according to the state program of subsidizing the interest rates of agricultural loans, it is envisaged to provide credits for 9.4 billion AMD to 2100 beneficiaries. 2030.8 billion AMD will be allocated for subsidizing the state budget. ArmInfo was informed about this in the press service of the RA Ministry of Agriculture.
According to the source, for the IV quarter of 2017 in 2017 Armenian farmers received 913 credits for 4241.6 million AMD within the framework of the state program of subsidizing interest rates of agricultural loans. On average, the amount of one loan was 4.65 million AMD. During the reporting period, within the framework of the state program, 224 training seminars were held, in which about 5562 farmers took part. As a result, 5326 certificates were issued to receive a loan under this state program.
The size of the loan under the state program of subsidizing agricultural credits ranges from 3 million to 10 million drams, interest rates taking into account state subsidies will be 5% per annum, against the previous 8%, and for border communities receiving state support and farm cooperatives - taking into account state subsidies rates will be 3%. To join the state program, farmers need to pass a seminar and get relevant certificates from the regional subdivisions of the Agricultural Development Fund, allowing them to apply to the finance structures for a loan.
Before the launch of the program, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Program Office for the Economic Development of Rural Communities and a number of financial institutions signed a memorandum of cooperation. These are ACBA-Credit Agricole Bank, and universal credit companies (CCC) , , DICA (formerly called SME Investments), . The updated version of the program (subject to revised terms) was adopted by the RA government on September 14, 2017. According to the Financial Rating of Armenian Banks prepared by IA ArmInfo, the volume of agricultural loans as of October 1, 2017 reached 147.8 billion AMD or $ 309 million with an annual decline of 4.4%, and only 9 months of 2017 - by 1.9%. The unchallenged leader in agricultural loans is ACBA-Credit Agricole Bank, covering 47% of the total volume.
