GOVERNMENT ENVISAGES FULLY SUPPLYING ARMENIA WITH OWN PRODUCTION WHEAT
IN NEXT TWO YEARS
YEREVAN, MARCH 7, NOYAN TAPAN. The Armenian government has initiated
two programs aimed at supplying the country with grain. According to
the RA minister of agriculture Davit Lokian, one program envisages
starting production of corn in Armenia, while by the other program it
is expected to fully supply Armenia with wheat of own production in the
near future.
Under the first program, the goverment has proposed cultivating fodder
corn in Tavush and Lori marzes: villages with 50 and more hectares sown
with corn will receive subsidies. Such villages will also get
privileges in terms of crop sale. So far preliminary agreements have
been prepared for 15 thousand ha.
The other program of the government envisages a sharp increase in wheat
production in Armenia in order to deal with the problem of growing
wheat prices in international market. D. Lokian said that the domestic
demand for wheat makes at least 450 thousand tons a year, including 370
thousand tons for bread, whereas only 180 thousand tons is produced.
The government plans to encourage wheat production so that up to 150
thousand ha will be sown with wheat in the country and the crop yield
of one hectare will increase from the current 25 centners to 30
centners. For this purpose the government envisages importing
high-quality seeds, set up local production of such seeds and provide
subsidies to wheat producers. Besides, the government envisages to give
guarantees for the purchase of crops at quite high prices. In the words
of the minister, it is possible to achieve wheat self-sufficiency in
2010.
D. Lokian said that this year additional amounts of fertilizer will be
given to farms which have not been provided with fertilizer on time.