YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. Armenia is planning to conduct an “agricultural census” next year, Minister of Economy Vahan Kerobyan said during the debate of the 2023 state budget draft in the joint session of the parliamentary standing committees.

“The primary production of agriculture ensures around 11-13% of the GDP. And the agro-food system makes up of around 25% of the GDP in general. It’s worth nothing that around 22% of the employed people in Armenia are involved in agriculture”, the minister said.

In 2023 it is planned to increase the gross agricultural production volume up to 1.2 trillion drams, he said. Last year it was 933 billion drams. But according to the government’s 2021-2026 action plan, it is envisaged to reach this figure up to 1.4 trillion drams.

As a result of enlargement of farmer economies, it is expected to lower the number of general agricultures up to 280,000, instead of the previous 317,000, at the same time contributing to the increase in productivity of the value created by one farm.

The minister added that legislative amendments are also expected. In particular, the differentiated VAT use for several agricultural products is still at a discussion stage.

“The Statistical Committee is planning to conduct an “agricultural census” next year, during which the number of farms, property, and the general agricultural situation will be clarified”, he said.

The 2023 state budget envisages implementing 6 programs in agriculture sector, worth 37,9 billion drams, as well as 3 other programs, worth 2,4 billion drams, which will be implemented by loan and grant funds received from foreign sources.