Minister of Agriculture: volume of agricultural products exceeds the 2011 figures

Yerevan, September 5, ARMENPRESS: On September 4 the Armenian Vice Prime Minister, Minister of Territorial Administration of the Republic of Armenia Armen Gevorgyan at the meeting with the marz governors with the presence of the Armenian Minister of Agriculture Sergo Karapetyan discussed the issues concerning the harvest sell, implementation of state support programs on provision of nitrogen fertilizers and diesel fuel for affordable prices to the farmers, as well as issues on wheat seed allocation processes.

As Armenpress was informed at the PR Department of the Ministry of Territorial Administration, the Minister of Agriculture informed that the volume of the agricultural products exceeds the figures of the year of 2011, when about 16,000 tons of vegetables were exported and currently it is already 17,8 thousand. Recently the exportation of potatoes, cabbage and beet has also started. He assured that there are no any problems with purveyance as well: they have agreements with procurement companies on both, the volumes of products acceptance and on-time payments.

The works on provision of diesel and fertilizers have already started as well. The Minister of Agriculture considers the support of the marz governors in agreement signing and money recruit processes to be quite important. It was mentioned that the works on elite seed allocation and financial obligations for the first seed reproduction are also in implementation process.

The Armenian Vice Prime Minister appealed to the marz governors to assist the Ministry of Agriculture in the work organization, as well as keep the procurement process in the center of attention.

The Chair of the State Committee of Water System of the Ministry of Territorial Administration of the Republic of Armenia Andranik Andreasyan presented information on irrigation issues organization. Taking into account the difficulties connected with the dry year, in general the water supply in the Ararat Valley is carried out on certain hours, though from September 15 the water demand will decrease. It was mentioned that about 287 million square meters of water have already been taken from the Sevan Lake.

The Armenian Vice Prime Minister once again emphasized the necessity of the irrigation effective organization, paying significant attention to the sufficient water supply to the farmers during the autumn agricultural works.

At the meeting the Minister of Education and Science Armen Ashotyan informed the marz governors about the establishment of a working group to carry out researches in the field of education. In particular, studies of schoolchildren's number, effective use of school areas, as well as other researches. Each marz will have its own representative in the working group and the Vice Prime Minister assigned the marz governors to present their candidates.Armen Ashotyan commented on the issue to change the 22-hour weekly load of the teachers working in the marzes into 18 hours a week, mentioning that it has been much discussed and it was decided to keep the current 22 hours.

The Armenian-Russian second forum on interregional cooperation will take place in mid October. The Vice Prime Minister considered quite important the active participation of the marzes in the forum, mentioning that it is a good chance to establish mutual cooperation with the Russian partners, as well as offer concrete programs and present new cooperation offers.