Armenian agriculture needs benefits, not protectionism
11.04.2018,
16:14
Marketing is the major problem of Armenian farmers, regardless of the government's reforms and efforts to help resolve it, the co-chairperson of the Agricultural Alliance of Armenia Mary Nikoghosyan told ARKA.
YEREVAN, April 11. /ARKA/. Marketing is the major problem of Armenian farmers, regardless of the government's reforms and efforts to help resolve it, the co-chairperson of the Agricultural Alliance of Armenia Mary Nikoghosyan told ARKA.
According to her, the constant stress and frustration farmers experience during that period influence their planning for the next years, therefore, supporting them to market their produces is a key factor in the development of agriculture.
She said a simplified taxation will contribute to the development of the sector, as it will allow farmers in case of difficulties in selling their produces to concentrate on urgent problems, especially that virtually all of them have to make regular loan payments.
She said to resolve the farmers’ problems it is not enough to work only with the government, whose support is often limited only to loans or subsidies. She argued that to fully resolve problems, direct participation of representatives of the agricultural sector in the legislative activity of the parliament is necessary.
It was for this purpose that a few days ago the Agricultural Alliance joined an initiative to create a deliberative body of business and industry under the parliament. Nikoghosyan believes that legislative initiatives should not be radical, and it is wrong to advocate the protection of the domestic market or the ban on imports of foreign agricultural products.
According to Nikoghosyan, one of the ways to support the domestic agro industry is the agro fairs held in large cities, including the capital. However, agricultural fairs should be held regularly and be as independent as possible from second-hand dealers.
The memorandum on the establishment of the Council for Cooperation of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises under the Armenian Parliament was signed on April 6 by the Association of Cooperation of Small and Medium Enterprises, the Union of Information Technology Companies (Skid), the Union of Transport Suppliers, the Association of Young Women of Armenia, the Agricultural Alliance of Armenia, the Armenian-British Entrepreneurial Chamber, the European Business Association and the National Assembly of Armenia. -0-
According to her, the constant stress and frustration farmers experience during that period influence their planning for the next years, therefore, supporting them to market their produces is a key factor in the development of agriculture.
She said a simplified taxation will contribute to the development of the sector, as it will allow farmers in case of difficulties in selling their produces to concentrate on urgent problems, especially that virtually all of them have to make regular loan payments.
She said to resolve the farmers’ problems it is not enough to work only with the government, whose support is often limited only to loans or subsidies. She argued that to fully resolve problems, direct participation of representatives of the agricultural sector in the legislative activity of the parliament is necessary.
It was for this purpose that a few days ago the Agricultural Alliance joined an initiative to create a deliberative body of business and industry under the parliament. Nikoghosyan believes that legislative initiatives should not be radical, and it is wrong to advocate the protection of the domestic market or the ban on imports of foreign agricultural products.
According to Nikoghosyan, one of the ways to support the domestic agro industry is the agro fairs held in large cities, including the capital. However, agricultural fairs should be held regularly and be as independent as possible from second-hand dealers.
The memorandum on the establishment of the Council for Cooperation of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises under the Armenian Parliament was signed on April 6 by the Association of Cooperation of Small and Medium Enterprises, the Union of Information Technology Companies (Skid), the Union of Transport Suppliers, the Association of Young Women of Armenia, the Agricultural Alliance of Armenia, the Armenian-British Entrepreneurial Chamber, the European Business Association and the National Assembly of Armenia. -0-
