FAO TO ALLOT $254,000 FOR VIRTUAL CONSULTATION NETWORK IN ARMENIA

ARKA
July 2

Armenia and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
(FAO/UN) signed a technical cooperation agreement worth $254,000 during
the 26th European Regional FAO Conference in Austria in late June,
reported RA First Deputy Minister of Agriculture Samvel Avetisyan.

He said the money will serve for one purpose: to create a virtual
consultation network. A FAO representative will arrive in Armenia
soon to discuss the details of the program with local authorities.

The Deputy Minister was quoted as saying: "We must get in touch with
farmers to enhance production capabilities."

He pointed out that regional agricultural centers and local governments
will implement the program.

Avetisyan said the Prime Minister himself stresses the importance of
the program.

FAO and IFAD Permanent Representative in Armenia Zohrab Malek has
been elected CE Chairman on Agricultural Issues, thanks to the
organization’s productive activities in Armenia, according to the
Deputy Minister.

Armenia became FAO member in November 1993. The FAO Yerevan Office
opened in September 2004.

The organization has played a crucial role in Armenia’s agrarian
policy for the past 13 years.

The organization’s experiences have shown that providing essential
support for agricultural activities is effective in rapidly reducing
poverty.