Armenian National Assembly speaker speaks about agricultural development
05.04.2011,
23:45
Armenian National Assembly speaker Hovik Abrahamian presented today his vision of agricultural development of the country during parliamentary hearings on "spring agricultural work and agricultural problems."
YEREVAN, April 5. / ARKA /. Armenian National Assembly speaker Hovik Abrahamian presented today his vision of agricultural development of the country during parliamentary hearings on "spring agricultural work and agricultural problems."
He said the situation can be improved by consolidation of small land plots, government-secured and low-interest loans to farmers repayable in 5-10 years.
“We must not provide loans with 1-2 year maturity period because such loans do not contribute to the development of agriculture, " Abrahamian said.
The speaker also stressed the need to subsidize cultivation of land in areas with adverse climatic conditions in the amount of 50,000-75,00 drams per hectare, saying seed and cattle growing businesses must enjoy a 15% financing. He also argued in favor of setting minimal prices of agricultural products, exclusion of VAT on import of pesticides for a period of five years, promotion of newly established processing plants by providing them with production infrastructure.
The speaker also pointed out to the need of introducing an agriculture insurance mechanism and encouraging imports of agricultural machinery.
"All these areas are included in the national program of agricultural development for 2008-2012. We need to understand why the government- adopted national program is not being implemented , what obstacles it faces - financial or organizational. Otherwise, if a program is passed but not fulfilled, then we can not talk about agricultural development," Abrahamian said. -0-
He said the situation can be improved by consolidation of small land plots, government-secured and low-interest loans to farmers repayable in 5-10 years.
“We must not provide loans with 1-2 year maturity period because such loans do not contribute to the development of agriculture, " Abrahamian said.
The speaker also stressed the need to subsidize cultivation of land in areas with adverse climatic conditions in the amount of 50,000-75,00 drams per hectare, saying seed and cattle growing businesses must enjoy a 15% financing. He also argued in favor of setting minimal prices of agricultural products, exclusion of VAT on import of pesticides for a period of five years, promotion of newly established processing plants by providing them with production infrastructure.
The speaker also pointed out to the need of introducing an agriculture insurance mechanism and encouraging imports of agricultural machinery.
"All these areas are included in the national program of agricultural development for 2008-2012. We need to understand why the government- adopted national program is not being implemented , what obstacles it faces - financial or organizational. Otherwise, if a program is passed but not fulfilled, then we can not talk about agricultural development," Abrahamian said. -0-
