250 ANTIHAIL STATIONS TO BE INSTALLED IN ARMENIA BY 2013

Noyan Tapan
Jan 26, 2010

YEREVAN, JANUARY 26, NOYAN TAPAN. Under conditions of the global
financial and economic crisis, due to which the economic decline in
Armenia made 15%, a relative stability was ensured in agriculture,
RA Minister of Agriculture Gerasim Alaverdian stated at the January
26 press conference. According to him, crop production amounted to
333.5 billion drams in January-November 2009, growing by 0.2%, while
cattle-breeding production made 700 million drams in the same period,
declining by 0.9%.

Work to be done with processing enterprises is one of the agricultural
sector’s priorities in 2010. In particular, G. Alaverdian attached
importance to the construction of a sugar refinery in Akhurian
community of Shirak marz. The sugar refinery will be put into operation
in May and will initially use imported raw material, whereas starting
from the autumn it will be supplied with sugar beet grown in Shirak
and Lori marzes. The minister said the refinery can purchase 4
thousand tons of beet daily and its productive capacity will make
250-280 thousand tons of sugar a year. 1,000 jobs will be created,
another 20 thousand people will engage in sugar beet cultivation.

G. Alaverdian said that last year subsidies of 1.6 billion drams were
given to farmers under the state program of assistance for land users.

Subsidies of 1 billion 100 million drams will be provided this year to
7 marzes (provinces) located in the high-altitude zone: the marzes of
Gegharkunik, Aragatsotn, Kotayk, Lori, Shirak, Vayots Dzor, and Syunik.

In the minister’s words, by the decision taken by the government in
2008, 250 antihail stations must be installed in the country. The
program will finish in 2013. About 60 stations currently operate in
Ararat, Armavir, Aragatsotn and Shirak marzes. 550 million drams
will be allocated from the state budget in 2010 for the program’s
continuation.