NGO head criticizes government’s agricultural programs
03.07.2017,
16:01
Sarkis Sedrakyan, the head of a non-governmental organization called ‘Farmer Movement’ criticized the Armenian government-designed agricultural programs, including a program for leasing of agricultural machinery, saying they have no prospects.
YEREVAN, July 3. /ARKA/. Sarkis Sedrakyan, the head of a non-governmental organization called ‘Farmer Movement’ criticized the Armenian government-designed agricultural programs, including a program for leasing of agricultural machinery, saying they have no prospects.
“If you visit a village today and ask its residents what they need in the first place, they will say it is agricultural machinery. Unlike the neighboring Georgia, where you see modern tractors and other machines at every step, we still use obsolete, poorly working combines and tractors, "Sedrakyan said at a press conference on Monday.
According to him, the leasing program is a good idea, but in Armenia it can not work, as the bulk of farmers are burdened by loans, interests and other debts.
Under the government program, farmers, cooperatives and communities can lease agricultural machines and have the right to buy them gradually out at the rate of 9%, 7% of which is subsidized by the government.
"Suppose a farmer has a land plot of 1 hectare, but he will not be satisfied with such a loan, since the debt will have to be covered for a very long time. The people who can by machines under the leasing program are mainly the heads of regions and villages," Sedrakyan said.
"The terms are not bad, but Armenia is a poor country. Many farmers go abroad to earn money to cover their debts, and they need other programs and approaches, "Sedrakyan said. -0-
“If you visit a village today and ask its residents what they need in the first place, they will say it is agricultural machinery. Unlike the neighboring Georgia, where you see modern tractors and other machines at every step, we still use obsolete, poorly working combines and tractors, "Sedrakyan said at a press conference on Monday.
According to him, the leasing program is a good idea, but in Armenia it can not work, as the bulk of farmers are burdened by loans, interests and other debts.
Under the government program, farmers, cooperatives and communities can lease agricultural machines and have the right to buy them gradually out at the rate of 9%, 7% of which is subsidized by the government.
"Suppose a farmer has a land plot of 1 hectare, but he will not be satisfied with such a loan, since the debt will have to be covered for a very long time. The people who can by machines under the leasing program are mainly the heads of regions and villages," Sedrakyan said.
"The terms are not bad, but Armenia is a poor country. Many farmers go abroad to earn money to cover their debts, and they need other programs and approaches, "Sedrakyan said. -0-
