YEREVAN, June 17, /ARKA/. The first smart cattle-breeding farm opened today in Stepanavan, in Armenian province of Lori. The opening ceremony was attended by Deputy Minister of Economy Artak Kamalyan.
The building of the farm was built under the program Animal Health Management in Armenia and Georgia, implemented by the CARD Foundation with the financial support of the Austrian Development Agency.
The building was built on the basis of a greenhouse construction, which is considered an innovative method in Armenia. As an innovation, a cooling system, ventilation, lighting, and a remote animal video surveillance system have been also installed. Favorable conditions have been created for animals to increase yields and meat. The farm has 12 cows.
In early April the government of Armenia approved an assistance program for construction, reconstruction and technological re-equipment of small and medium-sized "smart cattle-breeding farms.’ The goal of the program is help farmers increase their productivity. In 2019-2021 some 3.2 billion drams are to be invested in the construction of 230 "smart’ farms.
Earlier Deputy Economy Minister Tigran Gabrielyan said the government planned to finance 30 farms this year, but already received 135 applications and approved 123 of them. Gabrielyan said that all the submitted projects will get government funding. He said also ten day intensive courses will be held for farmers by the Agrarian University.
Three models of farms are offered – with 130-280 square meters, designed for 15 cattle worth 11 million drams, with 280-450 square meters for 25 cattle worth 23 million drams and with 450 square meters for 45 cattle worth 35 million drams.
The deputy minister said the government will provide grants for the construction of these cattle-breeding farms in the amount of 5.5 million drams, 11.5 million drams and 17.5 million drams respectively, which is almost half of the cost.
The size of subsidies for residents of border regions and for persons, who received disabilities during military service, will be 7.7 million drams, 16.1 million drams and 24.5 million drams respectively (70% of the cost). -0-