Armenian government to subsidize 50% of cost of fertilizers for small farms

YEREVAN, March 3. /ARKA/. The Armenian government has decided today to release funds to subsidize up to 50% of the cost of fertilizers for small farms.

According to Economy Minister Vahan Kerobyan, nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizers have risen in price by 2.5-3 times this year, ‘putting small farms in a very fragile and vulnerable position.’

He said the eligible farmers are those who cultivate land areas up to 3 hectares; however, the amount of subsidy will not be more than 9,000 drams.

According to Kerobyan, larger farms are able to reduce the impact of the higher cost of fertilizer on the final product due to productivity.

“I want to encourage all villagers to cultivate their land to the maximum, because this year, given the many challenges, a serious threat to food security is expected. On the other hand, we see that food prices are rising making agriculture more attractive,” he said.

Kerobyan said the ministry is drafting a set of measures which are supposed to stimulate the construction of small biological fertilizer plants in the country.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, in turn, urged the regional governors to pay more attention to the development of organic fertilizer production, the transition to drip irrigation and intensive agriculture. -0-