Opposition MP calls on government to subsidize purchase of fertilizers by farmers

YEREVAN, February 8. /ARKA/. An opposition MP Arthur Khachatryan from Hayastan alliance, who served earlier as minister of agriculture, called on the government to subsidize purchase of fertilizers by famers in order not to endanger the spring sowing season.

He recalled that the previous governments used to subsidize prices of fertilizers, seeds and fuel for farmers. In his opinion, subsidizing was not the best solution, but now farmers are left alone with their problems.

"While the Minister of Economy is thinking about the best option to support farmers, on the eve of the spring sowing season the cost of fertilizers, seeds and fuel is skyrocketing," he said.

Thus, according to him, 1 sack of ammonium nitrate, which was sold for 6-7.5 thousand drams last year, now costs 20 thousand drams.

"If this problem is not solved, the spring sowing will be under the threat: people do not have enough personal funds and their creditworthiness is insufficient to take loans. Many will not be able to carry out the sowing," he said.

According to him, the issue of subsidies must be resolved right now so that companies can arrange for imports of fertilizers.

"If no emergency measures are taken in the coming days, tomorrow we will be jealous of today's prices of potatoes and cabbage. Expensive fertilizers, seeds and fuel mean expensive and in smaller quantities bread, fruit, vegetables and meat," he said. -0-