Armenian farmers suffer from droughts, hails and loans
YEREVAN, September 8. / ARKA /. Although the current year is quite favorable for the agriculture, there are still many outstanding problems affecting not only the agricultural output but also the ability of farmers to cultivate their own land, Hrachya Berberyan, head of the Agrarian and Peasant Union said today.
Speaking to reporters, he singled out very good yield of apricot and peach, whose exports rose significantly. He said also winegrowers expect grapes harvest to be 20-30% higher than in 2014, saying the price of 150 kg per one kg offered by processing companies and wineries is quite beneficial given that farmers manage to sell all their grapes.
At the same time, the year is not as successful for livestock and dairy producers due to lower prices. It is not as successful also for producers of tomatoes and potatoes because of a 65 day-long rainless weather. As for wheat producers, they managed to maintain production at last year's level, even though they suffered losses due to the use of outdated machinery and hot weather.
"Banks stepped up lending to farmers only in May, when all major agricultural work was already completed," said Berberyan. He said this lending, especially that it is subsidized partly by government, should be started in February, when farmers buy seeds and begin plowing.
Berberyan also questioned the government-supported anti-hail installation program saying replacing them with hail nets would be more effective because they will not only protect against hails, but also frosts, as well as give an opportunity to reduce the risks and attract insurance companies to insure agricultural crop.
To solve the above-mentioned problems Berberyan suggested that specialized land areas be created for cultivating a single crop type, which he believes will improve crop productivity, ensure agro-technical standards and food self-sufficiency of the country. -0-
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Speaking to reporters, he singled out very good yield of apricot and peach, whose exports rose significantly. He said also winegrowers expect grapes harvest to be 20-30% higher than in 2014, saying the price of 150 kg per one kg offered by processing companies and wineries is quite beneficial given that farmers manage to sell all their grapes.
At the same time, the year is not as successful for livestock and dairy producers due to lower prices. It is not as successful also for producers of tomatoes and potatoes because of a 65 day-long rainless weather. As for wheat producers, they managed to maintain production at last year's level, even though they suffered losses due to the use of outdated machinery and hot weather.
"Banks stepped up lending to farmers only in May, when all major agricultural work was already completed," said Berberyan. He said this lending, especially that it is subsidized partly by government, should be started in February, when farmers buy seeds and begin plowing.
Berberyan also questioned the government-supported anti-hail installation program saying replacing them with hail nets would be more effective because they will not only protect against hails, but also frosts, as well as give an opportunity to reduce the risks and attract insurance companies to insure agricultural crop.
To solve the above-mentioned problems Berberyan suggested that specialized land areas be created for cultivating a single crop type, which he believes will improve crop productivity, ensure agro-technical standards and food self-sufficiency of the country. -0-
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