ArmInfo. The involvement of small farms in government assistance programs is one of the priorities of the Armenian government. On July 17, RA Minister of Agriculture Artur Khachatryan received the head of the EU delegation to Armenia Piotr Switalski.
According to him, as the press service of the RA Ministry of Agriculture reports, state assistance to small farms will be increased. In addition, mechanisms for subsidizing agricultural production have been developed. Another important component of the development of the sphere, the minister pointed to the organization of production of high-quality products and the formation of the whole chain of agriculture, the increase in the areas of agricultural land and their unification, which will make it possible to increase the economic value of land. With regard to animal husbandry, in this direction Artur Khachatryan stressed the need to implement an identification program that will ensure a healthy livestock population and organize more effective prevention of possible diseases.
During the meeting, the parties also discussed a number of issues related to agricultural insurance. In this regard, the Minister informed that from the beginning of 2019 it is planned to implement pilot programs in Armavir, Ararat and Shirak regions. Among the priorities Artur Khachatryan also called the development of organic agriculture, the establishment of intensive gardens, the introduction of modern systems in the sphere of irrigation and anti-hail facilities, and the improvement of advisory services.