ARMENIA’S AGRICULTURE FINANCING HALVED IN 2010

PanARMENIAN.Net
April 21, 2010 – 12:09 AMT 07:09 GMT

Armenian Deputy Minister of Agriculture Samvel Avetisyan said that
the financing of Armenia’s agriculture has halved in 2010, totaling
AMD 600mln against 1.6 billion in 2008 and 2009.

"Due to the crisis, the state financing has significantly reduced,
making around 600mln," Mr. Avetisyan told a press conference in
Yerevan on April 21.

According to him, a part of the allocated funds is foreseen for the
animal husbandry, specifically, for providing services and vaccination,
another part is provided for preserving the crop production.

In addition, the Chinese government granted 61 tractors to Armenia.

Samvel Avetisyan added that the government also plans to allocate
huge funds for the financing of irrigation water system, the charge
for which rose from AMD 9 to 11 per 1 cubic meter.

"Certainly, these measures are not enough, since agriculture requires
substantial state assistance, due to its specific nature. Agriculture
is not reduced to agricultural production, but it also involves
development of rural territories and communities, protection of
landscapes and ecology, etc" Mr. Avetisyan said.

At the same time, the Deputy Minister added that with worsening of
production conditions, a farmer not only incurs losses but even leaves
the business.