ArmInfo.The program of state assistance to the construction, reconstruction and technological re-equipment of small and medium "smart farms" will be extended to educational projects. The corresponding decision was made at the April 18 meeting of the Armenian government.
According to the Acting RA Minister of Agriculture Gegham Gevorgyan, the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers is aimed at building educational "smart farms" for farmers in the country. So, for example, the Agrarian University of the country intends to build a similar farm in Balahovit, where farmers will be able to improve their knowledge and skills with a good example. The acting minister stressed that the program met with a wide response among farms, applications already 10% higher than the established quota. There are already three projects, as many are under discussion, the minister stated.
He recalled that the main goal of the program is to promote and provide technical support for financial assistance to improve the quality of animal welfare, as well as increase their productivity. According to him, the program provides for three main models of farms - 130-280 square meters, designed for 15 heads, the cost of which will be 11 million drams, with an area of 280-450 square meters for 25 heads and worth 23 million drams, as well as an area of over 450 sq.m. based on 45 heads of breeding or other cattle worth 35 million drams.
"For the construction of these buildings, the state will provide grants through direct subsidies in the amount of 5.5 million drams, 11.5 million drams and 17.5 million drams, respectively, that is, at least 50% of the amount," said Gevorgyan. At the same time, he noted that in the border regions and for persons who received disabilities during the performance of civic duty during military service, the subsidies will be 7.7 million drams, 16.1 million drams and 24.5 million drams respectively (at least 70%). As a result of the implementation of the program for 2019-2021 it is planned to invest 3.2 billion drams and build 230 "smart farms". At the same time, if there is demand, the state is ready to provide additional financial assistance. The program will be held 10-day intensive courses for farmers worth no more than 50 thousand drams, which will hold the Agrarian University. At the initial stage, seminars will be held in a private sector, and in the future a typical farm will be built for the university.
Now these benefits will be extended to farms with an educational bias.