ArmInfo. Armenian "Dustr Marianna" company will receive benefits for the import of milk cream from Iran. The decision on this was made at a meeting of the RA Government on January 23.
As RA Minister of Economy Tigran Khachatryan noted in his speech, the company intends to import 12 thousand tons of milk cream from Iran for a total amount of 11 billion drams for the production of butter within three years. These volumes, as the minister noted, cannot have a significant impact on the republic's dairy market and infringe on the interests of other producers. 80% of all production worth AMD 12.3 billion will be exported to the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union, and 20% alone will be sold on the domestic market of the republic. Tigran Khachatryan also said that in 2019 the company paid 410 million drams to the state budget. At present, the enterprise, which has been operating in Yerevan since 1997, employs 318 employees, with the implementation of the program 15 more jobs will be involved with an average monthly salary of 140 thousand drams.
Tigran Khachatryan also said that according to the results of last year, 700 thousand tons of milk were produced in the republic, while the real needs of the domestic market are estimated at 1 million tons. With the implementation of various programs subsidized by the state, in the near future it will be possible to solve this problem.
In this regard, RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan pointed out the importance of implementing the "smart farm" program, due to which it will be possible to fill the shortage of milk and dairy products. He stressed that during the construction of a farm, whether at the expense of personal funds of entrepreneurs or borrowed funds, the state will pay in cash 50% of all costs, and in the border regions and for military personnel - up to 70%. The Prime Minister noted with satisfaction that there was a growing interest in the program, in which more than 100 beneficiaries who had been selected and trained were already involved. He also urged that particular attention be paid to product quality, noting that under the conditions in which milk is produced today, products will remain uncompetitive. An important place in the program should be given to maintaining milk in appropriate containers at a temperature of 4 degrees above zero, as well as its packaging.
It should be noted that the main goal of the program is to promote and provide financial assistance to improve the quality of animal welfare, as well as increase their productivity. Within the framework of the project, three main farm models are envisaged - 130-280 sq.m, designed for 15 heads, the cost of which will be 11 million drams, an area of 280-450 sq.m for 25 heads and a cost of 23 million drams, as well as an area of more than 450 square meters per 45 heads of breeding or other type of cattle worth 35 million drams. To build 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. In the border regions and for persons who have received disabilities in the course of performing a civil duty during military service, the subsidies will amount to 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". The program provides 10-day intensive courses for farmers.