Azat Artsakh, NKR
Sept 13 2006
HARVEST WAS BETTER ORGANIZED THIS YEAR
Vladimir Zakiyan, the deputy minister of agriculture of NKR, says
this year harvesting of grain crops started late was delayed by
rains, but it finished in time. He pointed out that this year the
harvest was better organized and more agricultural machines were
used. On the whole, the deputy minister is satisfied with the course
of harvest, but he is worried by the low yield. The average yield per
hectare was 1140 kg, which is lower by 210 kg compared with 2005. The
lowest yield was in Shushi, where the average yield per hectare was
900 kg, and in Kashatagh, 940 kg. The yield of grain in Martakert was
comparatively good, the average yield per hectare was 1610 kg, in
some parts the average yield totaled 3000 kg per hectare. By official
data, 55,272 hectares was harvested, 62,454 tonnes of grain was
produced. The deputy minister said, unfortunately, the lasting heavy
rains in May damaged almost 50 percent of the yield. In answer to the
question whether it was possible to prevent the losses, V. Zakiyan
said sustainable yield requires deep tillage and several procedures,
which are not always performed by the farmers. Besides, very few
farmers use phosphate fertilizers; it is clear that an ordinary
farmer cannot afford to. Another cause of the poor yield is that
people sow wheat and barley in the same field every year. Crop
rotation is not practiced, however, and one of the problems is the
tax on land. If the government exempted farmers from the tax on land
for a year, it would be very helpful. V. Zakiyan said this year land
under crop will expand. He also informed that he government will
provide seeds and fuel aid to the owners of fields, which were
damaged by weather or fires, which is moral support rather.
M. DAVTIAN.
13-09-2006