ARMENIA TO SPEND ONE BILLION DRAMS ON ANTI-HAIL SYSTEMS

ARKA
Nov 12, 2009

YEREVAN, November 12, /ARKA/. Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan said
today one billion Drams will be spent on installment of anti-hail
systems in the country. Addressing Cabinet members during a recurrent
session he said part of the money will be released by the government
and the other part will come from a Japanese government’s grant.

According to the prime minister, next year will be crucial in terms
of raising the level of protection from hails. The government has
also approved today a plan of actions designed to develop anti-hail
system across the whole of the country and transferred free of charge
some equipment to a special agency dealing with atmospheric agents.

Emergency minister Mher Shahgeldian said the anti-hail program was
developed by an interagency team of qualified experts which was later
discussed with all stakeholders. In line with the plan of actions
several regions of the country affected most by hails will be in the
limelight of the government. In 2010-2011 a total of 79 anti-hail
systems will be installed to protect over 30,000 hectares of land.

According to agricultural experts, the annual damages caused by various
natural disasters to farmers amount up to $20 million, almost half
of them are caused by hails.($1 – 388.01 Drams).