Farmers union head says lack of rains and high temperature could damage agricultural output
04.02.2015,
17:20
Head of an Armenian farmers union said today lack of precipitation and high temperatures this year could adversely affect the national agricultural output.
YEREVAN, February 4. / ARKA /. Head of an Armenian farmers union said today lack of precipitation and high temperatures this year could adversely affect the national agricultural output.
Speaking at a news conference, the head of the Agrarian Union, Hrachya Berberyan, said on the other hand the experience shows that the probability of heavy rains in February and March are quite high. If this happens, the water reservoirs will be filled with enough water for irrigation, he said.
"The year has just begun and there is hope for favorable agricultural and climatic conditions. The only thing that causes concern is the possibility of early blossoming of trees that can cause great damage to fruit growing,’ said Berberyan.
"If the temperature decreases again, the blossoming process will stop. Of course, this process does not depend on us, but we still do not lose hope. In any case, at the moment there is no danger,’ said Berberyan.
Gusty winds and a temperature drop of 10-12 degrees in 2014 late March and early April accompanied by heavy snowfall across Armenia damaged about 80-90% of apricot crops in the Ararat Valley.
Other fruit trees were also affected. The agricultural ministry estimated the damage at 11 billion drams. Overall, some 287 rural communities and 3,700 farmer households were affected.-0-
