Head of agricultural union calls for replacement of anti-hail systems
11.08.2020,
14:10
Chairman of the Agrarian Union Hrachya Berberyan told a news conference today that the anti-hail systems used in Armenia are ineffective, saying also they should be replaced.
YEREVAN, August 11. /ARKA/. Chairman of the Agrarian Union Hrachya Berberyan told a news conference today that the anti-hail systems used in Armenia are ineffective, saying also they should be replaced.
He said the country's agriculture has suffered significant damages this year, especially in province of Shirak, where hailstorms have destroyed 10% of the crop.
According to Berberyan, the anti-hail installations in the province are not effective and they must be replaced with anti-hail grids, which ensure 100% effectiveness. In this context, he called on the government to help local farmers.
He said there is also a problem with exports, the bulk of which are apricots. 'Peaches, grapes are not exported much. This year we will see if we can export grapes. Due to very good crop we are more concerned with its sales: local canneries and wineries may not purchase grape in very large quantities," said Berberyan.
According to him, the only agricultural produce that Armenia can successfully export or at least not import this year is potatoes. He said that negotiations are underway with a Moscow supermarket on supply of about 1,000 tons of potatoes per month.
"If today we take a few right steps, then next year the growth of agriculture will be ensured," Berberyan said.
Earlier, Deputy Minister of Economy Arman Khojoyan said that 58 thousand tons of fruits and vegetables (apricots, cherries, tomatoes, strawberries) had already been exported from Armenia in 2020, but that figure is 15% less than the amount if vegetables and fruits exported in the same time span of 2019. Khojoyan noted that a large yield of apricots was expected this year, but due to weather conditions, the final crop was lower, which also affected exports, which decreased by 3 thousand tons. -0-
He said the country's agriculture has suffered significant damages this year, especially in province of Shirak, where hailstorms have destroyed 10% of the crop.
According to Berberyan, the anti-hail installations in the province are not effective and they must be replaced with anti-hail grids, which ensure 100% effectiveness. In this context, he called on the government to help local farmers.
He said there is also a problem with exports, the bulk of which are apricots. 'Peaches, grapes are not exported much. This year we will see if we can export grapes. Due to very good crop we are more concerned with its sales: local canneries and wineries may not purchase grape in very large quantities," said Berberyan.
According to him, the only agricultural produce that Armenia can successfully export or at least not import this year is potatoes. He said that negotiations are underway with a Moscow supermarket on supply of about 1,000 tons of potatoes per month.
"If today we take a few right steps, then next year the growth of agriculture will be ensured," Berberyan said.
Earlier, Deputy Minister of Economy Arman Khojoyan said that 58 thousand tons of fruits and vegetables (apricots, cherries, tomatoes, strawberries) had already been exported from Armenia in 2020, but that figure is 15% less than the amount if vegetables and fruits exported in the same time span of 2019. Khojoyan noted that a large yield of apricots was expected this year, but due to weather conditions, the final crop was lower, which also affected exports, which decreased by 3 thousand tons. -0-
