NO DROUGHT HAZARD CURRENTLY IN ARMENIA: AGRICULTURAL MINISTRY REP

Arka News Agency, Armenia
July 3 2006

YEREVAN, July 3. /ARKA/. There have been no occurrences of drought
hazard to irrigated lands of Armenia, and it is not expected, chief
of the department for land use and development, Armenian Ministry of
Agriculture, Mamikon Gasparyan told reporters today.

According to him, the water storage satisfied all the needs of
Armenian farmers.

"The drought in highland areas was due to the simultaneous beginning
of farmers’ land irrigation. Farmers hoped that heavy rains would
be enough for ripening of the crops, and they did not begin timely
artificial irrigation," he said.

He pointed out that panic shortly occurred, however, it was overcame,
also due to the efforts of the Union of Water Consumers.

Heavy rains were continuing from April 20 to the mid of May in Armenia,
and high humidity rate was recorded. A high temperature rate has been
recorded in Armenia since the mid of May.