ArmInfo.Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Raimund Jehle and Deputy Minister of Economy of the Republic of Armenia Arman Khojoyan, through remote communication, discussed the priorities of the FAO in Armenia and the continuation of joint work in the situation in conditions of the coronavirus.
Khojoyan informed that the government has developed a package of measures to counteract COVID-19 in order to promote the economy, including the agricultural sector. According to him, government support programs for agriculture should be reviewed, which will include subsidizing loans for certain types of agricultural activities, such as renting agricultural machinery and equipment, creating greenhouses and intensive gardens, anti-hail networks and drip irrigation systems.
According to him, large producers are already experiencing the problems created by COVID-19, and changes are expected at any level of agricultural production. Increase of import prices should also be expected, for example, in the case of seeds and fertilizers. The government is currently discussing various scenarios for price increases, as well as considering options for food shortages or import problems. "There may be problems with access to the market, which will require diversification of the market, and this, in turn, will help export agricultural products," he said.
For his part, Raimund Jehle presented the measures taken by the FAO to mitigate the impact of the epidemic on food and agriculture worldwide. He also informed about the activities undertaken by the organization to ensure food safety and living conditions of the most vulnerable segments of the population. Raimund Jehle offered FAO support to the ministry in its efforts to quickly assess the situation, analyze the results of the collaboration, and focus on the sector. According to him, it is possible to assist in strengthening the capacity of cooperatives, as well as in developing policies in the field of agriculture and rural development.
The parties confirmed the need to continue the dialogue in order to timely respond to the needs of the agricultural sector in Armenia.