Agriculture Minister says state stands by the farmer, success is guaranteed

YEREVAN, APRIL 19, ARMENPRESS: This year the sphere of agriculture has been declared a priority. Wide-scale of works are being carried out in the sphere aimed at the development of agriculture, assistance to the farmers. Armenpress news agency spoke with the Minister of Agriculture Sergo Karapetyan about the programs and expectations from the sphere this year.

- Mr Minister, 10% growth of the agriculture is expected this year. A number of programs are being implemented to ensure it. Which one will you rate higher?

- The programs this year are a lot. Their implementation will only promote the development of the agriculture, improvement of the life of farmers. The biggest revolutionary step is the provision of 10% credits. It is the assignment of the President, which was implemented in short period. If during the previous years the loans were given with 24-25% this year the banks are giving them with 14% the four percent of which is subsidized by the state and farmers of 225 insecure communities will be given loans with 8%. The loans will be provided with two years, in drams. Next year the conditions may be reviewed. I consider this the greatest achievement.

The next program is directed toward development of wheat, barley and corn seed growing. Before 2014 we must be able to ensure us with necessary volume of corn. In respect of barley, we have imported 1000 tons of elite seeds and distributed to communities. The insecure families also received the same quantity of seeds free of charge.

I rate high the program on effective management of the agricultural resources which will promote the development of cattle-breeding. It will be carried out with the financial assistance of the World Bank with the co-financing of the Armenian government. The program involves fifty five communities of six provinces. This year it will be implemented in five communities, afterwards their number will increase.

- During your visits to different communities, the farmers voice complaints connected with the grape consumption. What steps are you going to undertake for appropriate organization of the grape consumption?

- Really, the main complaint is connected with the grape consumption. It comes from an organization which has not implemented payments against the consumption. It is under our control: the payment process has launched, we will try to make it quicker. As to the expecting issues connected with the consumption, I must say that this year we will be in all not operating plants of provinces and will do everything to make them operate. We will provide all the necessary assistance, support for the appropriate organization of this year’s consumption. I assure the farmers that the whole harvest they have grown will be consumed and they will be paid.

- Mr Karapetyan, very often the farmers suggest providing one specialist for several communities for the appropriate organization of works. What steps is the government going to undertake?

- The issue, of course, exists but the absence of specialists is connected with another issue. There are very few specialists of the sphere. We have started closely cooperating with the Agricultural Academy to prepare staff. Besides, our ministry has few operating colleges which prepare average professional staff. We will carry out big work for the increase of the role of these colleges as the specialist they prepare today do not correspond to current demands.

- What are the expectations from this year’s harvest?

- I am optimistic and I have told from the beginning that this year’s results will be very good, the harvest will be full. Thank’s God the climate conditions and the studies we have made show it. I want a farmer feel that the state backs him and we are fighting against challenges together. In this case everything will be easy, the success will be guaranteed.