DROUGHT HITS HARD ARMENIAN AGRICULTURE

Armenpress
Jun 22 2006

YEREVAN, JUNE 22, ARMENPRESS: According to preliminary calculations
of authorities in the Armenian province of Gegharkunik the persistent
drought there has caused some 47 billion Drams damages to the region’s
agriculture.

Experts say wheat crops have been affected so strongly that they are
good now as only fodder. Potato and winter crops are also endangered
together with hay. Cattle-growers in the province stored every year
about 380,000 tons of hay for winter, this year they will hardly be
able to store 30,000 tons of hay.

Veterinarians say droughts are able to cause outburst of foot and
mouth and other diseases.