TO GET ACTIVELY ENGAGED IN AGRICULTURE

NKR Government Information and Public Relations Department
April 03, 2009

Today, the regular outgoing session chaired by the Prime Minister
Ara Haroutyunyan has taken place in Berdzor. Kashatagh regional
administration head’s account on the activity of 2008 and the general
socio-economic state of the region was considered at it.

In the account the problems of resettlement were particularly
touched upon. According to the data announced by Kamo Martirosyan,
head of the regional administration, about eight thousand people
live in Kashatagh at present. Last year 47 families (462 persons)
were resettled here. According to the presentation of the reporter
insufficient social and living conditions, difficulties connected
with the construction of houses, electrical energy and water supply,
road construction, building of educational and cultural centres
are among the main reasons hindering in the resettlement of the
region and contributing to the emigration of the population. A
commission aimed at attaining the real depiction of the demographic
and socio-economic state of the region was created in the regional
administration. It visits all the communities, examines the state
and collects accurate information, which must serve as a basis for
the development and implementation of substantiated programmes aimed
at settlement of the accumulated problems. As the speaker assured,
first of all it is necessary to adopt a strategic programme of the
region’s development aimed at improving the resettlement process and to
implement the annual arrangements proceeding from it. In the account
the agricultural problems were thoroughly touched upon. It was once
more recorded that agriculture is the main direction of Kashatagh
region’s economic development, for organization of which there are
favourable preconditions, among them rich natural resources, increasing
rates of agricultural production, initial market formation. There are
development tendencies for the production of grain and forage plants,
vine growing, gardening, cattle breeding and beekeeping. Being
settled in valleys the major part of the region’s villages has a
great opportunity for growing melons and gourds. The experience of
the previous years showed that in case of proper cultivation 350-400
centners of melons and gourds can be reaped. Cattle breeding as well
assures a wide perspective. Rapid rates of livestock growth have been
recorded here since the beginning of the resettlement process.

Last year 70 mln drams interest-free credit was rendered to the region
(to 31 communities) by the NKR Village and Agriculture Assistance
Fund for purchasing autumn sowing seeds, due to which 9500 hectares
sowing were carried out.

In the account it was noted that in 2008 a number of shortcomings had
taken place in the sphere of agriculture: a part of the population
had not got use of state programmes because of unawareness, in some
communities fallowing was carried not in time and it was of low
quality. Lack of sufficient quantity of agricultural techniques,
unsatisfactory state of irrigation canals, reeded lands, and famine
of agronomists had hampered the progress of the sphere as well. For
filling the shortage of agricultural techniques up import of machines
in the region on leasing order is being started and is still going
on. In 2009 the Government plans to repair 16 water conduits of the
region, works on cleaning lands from reeds are conducted as well,
appropriate measures are taken to provide communities with qualified
veterinary surgeons and agronomists.

Another sphere of prior importance for Kashatagh region is
construction.

Though during the accounting period dozens of new units were put into
operation and old ones were restored, the problem of construction is
still acute enough. Construction volumes anticipated for 2008 were
realized by 86 percent because of starting construction works with
delay and poor equipment of construction organizations and lack of
builders. According to the reporter, up now inhabitants consider
that the state is obliged to repair their dwellings. Due to proper
agitation, in some settlements repair and capital construction of
privatized dwellings by inhabitants has started.

In Berdzor repair works of 27 and 18 apartment buildings are going
on. 5 residential buildings were repaired here. 10 standard design
residential buildings for families having 6 and more children are
under construction in the region.

Among other issues problems of education sphere were touched upon as
well. It was noted that the level of education in some village schools
of the region is very poor. The reason is in shortage of qualified
teachers and bad equipment of schools. Today not a single school is
ready to pass to 12-year teaching.

Touching upon other main problems reflected in the report, the Prime
Minister A.Haroutyunyan noted that the Kashatagh region is in focus
of the state’s and authorities’ special attention. This zone being
in complicated socio-economic situation needs particular treatment
and great investments.

"Living here every day you render good service to our country," the
head of the Government said to inhabitants of Kashatagh. He noted
that complicated and numerous problems existent in the region will be
settled gradually proper to their priority with joint efforts of the
state and local inhabitants. Inhabitants of the region were persuaded
to get use of the region’s rich agricultural potential. A.Haroutyunyan
announced that in this sphere the state assistance will be rendered
in three main directions: crediting, provision with specialists,
and creation of conditions for agricultural products’ realization.

In response to questions, concerning house construction, posed
by community heads present at the outgoing session, the Prime
Minister stated that citizens having an intention to construct
or to repair dwellings the state will assist with construction
materials. Communities may get use of this assistance and construct
buildings for community administrations. It was noted that the state
will construct dwellings only for socially privileged groups.

The Prime Minister A.Haroutyunyan informed that this year the state
will allot sizable sums for construction of roads, waterways, schools,
healthcare establishments. It is foreseen to found a mighty road
constructing organization in the region to conduct reconstruction
and maintenance works of sub regional road sections.

One of the large-scale programmes in the region is construction
of small hydro power stations in future, which will considerably
favourable for the region’s complete electrification.

According to the Premier, the Government is making attempts to create
conditions for realization of agricultural products at spot. It is
only necessary to conduct agricultural activities more intensively
to have rich harvest, the Prime Minister emphasized.