Wednesday, March 27 2019 14:32

ArmInfo.Agricultural production in Armenia has enormous potential for creating new jobs and reducing poverty. On March 27, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan  announced this from the rostrum of the parliament.

According to him, the conducted studies showed that only this year  there will be a demand in order to export 100 thousand tons of  additional volumes of potatoes and cabbage. In addition, there will  be an additional 70,000 tons of milk in the domestic market, which  exporters are ready to buy at a price of 190 drams per liter, and  this is during the season, milk is sold at a price of 100-110 drams  per liter.  There is also an additional demand for 600 thousand heads  of small cattle. This year, the processing enterprises of the  republic will experience a shortage of tomatoes in the amount of 40  thousand tons.  Meanwhile, as the prime minister stressed,  considerable funds were invested in the creation of these  enterprises, equipment was purchased that meets all international  standards. Exporters also expect a shortage of 5.5 thousand tons of  fresh vegetables in the domestic market, 15 thousand tons of table  grapes, 15 thousand tons of grape wine.

"However, the government cannot indicate to farmers that these  problems exist, it can only create conditions for their solution,"  the head of government stressed. According to him, over the past  three months, dozens of decisions have been made aimed at stimulating  work. A program is being implemented for small and medium enterprises  to create new barns for livestock of cattle. During the construction  of a shed with a total cost of 11 million drams for 10 or more heads  of cattle, the state will cash in cash 50% of the money spent to  farmers, and 70% in border areas. A similar program is carried out in  respect of the sheds with a population of 35-40 heads and an  investment volume of up to 35 million drams. At the same time, a  program of subsidizing agricultural loans is being implemented, which  ultimately amounts to only 2%. Thus, as the Prime Minister noted,  farmers have the opportunity to attract loans for construction of  barns, after which the state will return 50% of the invested funds  (70% in border villages) and continue to pay 2% for the remaining  resources.

Nikol Pashinyan also announced the launch of an agricultural risk  insurance program. It will begin to be applied in six areas -  Armavir, Ararat, Aragatsotn, Vayots Dzor, Tavush and Kotayk. Insured  against cases of frost, hail and fire will be vineyards and apricot  orchards. At the same time, the state will subsidize 50% of the cost  of the insurance policy. The implementation of programs for the  development of seed production and livestock breeding will also  continue. In the first case, when selling quality seeds under the  guise of wheat, the state will replenish the costs of the peasants,  and in the second case, it will subsidize interest rates on loans,  which in the end will be only 2%.

Nikol Pashinyan noted that with a view to the successful  implementation of these programs, measures are being taken to notify  citizens of the country, videos have been prepared that will be  broadcast through the channels of republican television and in social  networks. "It is important that as many people as possible know about  their content," the head of the Armenian government stressed.