Armenian agriculture falls 14.5 percent in Jan.-Nov.

YEREVAN, December 24, /ARKA/. Wrapping up the outgoing year Armenian agriculture minister Gerasim Alaverdian said the sector saw a 14.5% decline in the first 11 months of the year. Speaking at a news conference he blamed the slump on unfavorable climatic conditions - snaps of cold in early spring, heavy rains in the middle of the year that were followed by droughts

The largest decline was seen by plant growing. Thus the land under crops slashed by 16,000 hectares to

283,000 hectares. The minister complained also of a poor yield of potato crop that dropped from 590,000 metric tons last year to 490,000 tons this year. The fruit yield has slashed by a factor of three.

However, there was a bright side as well. Thus, the number of cattle has grown by 8,000 and that of sheep and goats by 9,000, but the number of pigs has contracted by 17,000, caused partly by African swine flue and increased sales of pork.

As achievements the minister mentioned installment of new anti-hail stations, raising food security and fighting against illegal logging and rodents.  -0-