Some 30% of Armenian apricot crop damaged by rains and hails
19.05.2010,
20:31
Armenian agricultural minister Gerasim Alaverdian told May 18 that preliminary estimates show that some 25-30% of apricot crop was damaged by heavy rains and hails.
YEREVAN, May 19, /ARKA/. Armenian agricultural minister Gerasim Alaverdian told May 18 that preliminary estimates show that some 25-30% of apricot crop was damaged by heavy rains and hails.
He said the overall volume of the damage is being still gauged, but added that the bulk of damaged apricot orchards are in Ararat and Armavir provinces.
He said pollination of the trees was hindered by heavy and protracted rains. The minister said also the government is considering ways to help farmers, but added that they will not get financial assistance as no funds are earmarked for it in the budget. Last year Armenian farmers gathered some 83,000 tons of apricot. -0-
He said the overall volume of the damage is being still gauged, but added that the bulk of damaged apricot orchards are in Ararat and Armavir provinces.
He said pollination of the trees was hindered by heavy and protracted rains. The minister said also the government is considering ways to help farmers, but added that they will not get financial assistance as no funds are earmarked for it in the budget. Last year Armenian farmers gathered some 83,000 tons of apricot. -0-