WINTER WHEAT

Azat Artsakh Nagorno Karabakh Republic [NKR]
16 Sept 05

This year 85 thousand 781 tonnes of wheat was produced in Nagorno
Karabakh, said the vice minister of agriculture Vladimir Zakiyan. This
year the harvest of wheat exceeds the previous year’s harvest by over
7500 tonnes. Nevertheless, according to the vice minister, this is
not a good rate because the estimates were much higher. Poor harvest
was caused by weather. In April it was especially dry, whereas in this
month arable crops require the highest amount of moisture. There were
no problems with agricultural machines because this year the necessary
amount of combine harvesters was acquired. According to the minister,
the region of Hadrut had the highest yield per hectare. Compared to
the previous year the rate was higher this year, and wheat produced
this year totals 12 thousand 972 tonnes. In Askeran the total yield is
18 thousand 690, Martakert 16 thousand 228, Martuni 23 thousand 043,
Shushi 654, Kashatagh 9 thousand 614 and Shahumian 163.5 tonnes.
However, there are problems connected with the upcoming winter
tillage. V. Zakiyan said that the grain producers are dissatisfied
with the low price for wheat and did not sell the grain. The ministry
is presently taking measures in this reference. The recent consultation
with the heads of the regional administrations was on this issue. The
NKR government provided a significant sum to aid farms and regions
which lost the harvest because of natural disasters. The sowing of
winter wheat will begin at the end of September and the beginning of
October. Tillage has already started.

LAURA GRIGORIAN.
16-09-2005