More Armenian Farmers Refuse to Cultivate Grain Crops Because of Lack of High Quality Seeds
14.05.2010,
03:34
Armenian agricultural minister Gerasim Alaverdian complained today that more farmers refuse to cultivate grain crops because of lack of high quality seeds and appropriate technology.
YEREVAN, May 13, /ARKA/. Armenian agricultural minister Gerasim Alaverdian complained today that more farmers refuse to cultivate grain crops because of lack of high quality seeds and appropriate technology.
Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of a UN FAO regional conference in Yerevan he said the total land under grain crops slashed from 124,000 hectares in 2004 to 88,000 hectares in 2008. The minister said they failed to bring 5,000 metric tons of high quality seeds, but added the ministry has received a $600,000 assistance from FAO to bring elite sorts of grain crops.
According to him the total domestic demand for grain crops is about 700,000 tons, while local production meet only 40-35% of it. The remaining part is brought from Russia and Ukraine. The minister also complained of natural calamities that cause multimillion damages to agriculture.
Thus, last year they caused 12 billion Drams worth damages. He said the government has earmarked 550 million Drams for installment of anti-hail stations and another 250 million Drams were provided by the Japanese government, he said.
According to the government program, some 79 anti-hail stations are to be installed this and next years to protect about 30,000 hectares of land under crop. Armenian experts estimate the damages caused by natural calamites from $13 to $20 million a year , half of which is caused by hails. –0--
Speaking to journalists on the sidelines of a UN FAO regional conference in Yerevan he said the total land under grain crops slashed from 124,000 hectares in 2004 to 88,000 hectares in 2008. The minister said they failed to bring 5,000 metric tons of high quality seeds, but added the ministry has received a $600,000 assistance from FAO to bring elite sorts of grain crops.
According to him the total domestic demand for grain crops is about 700,000 tons, while local production meet only 40-35% of it. The remaining part is brought from Russia and Ukraine. The minister also complained of natural calamities that cause multimillion damages to agriculture.
Thus, last year they caused 12 billion Drams worth damages. He said the government has earmarked 550 million Drams for installment of anti-hail stations and another 250 million Drams were provided by the Japanese government, he said.
According to the government program, some 79 anti-hail stations are to be installed this and next years to protect about 30,000 hectares of land under crop. Armenian experts estimate the damages caused by natural calamites from $13 to $20 million a year , half of which is caused by hails. –0--
