Armenia expects higher than last year grain output
YEREVAN, August 23. /ARKA/. A deputy minister of agriculture, Samvel
Galstyan, said today the Armenian government expects this year's grain
output to be over last year's 440,000 metric tons.
According to Galstyan, because of bad weather, including cold snaps
last November, lack of snow cover in winter and low rainfall in March
and April, grain yield in some parts of the country will be lower than
last year.
He said forecasts of higher output are based also on increased land
under grains. For example, last year the total area under grains
expanded by almost 19,000 hectares.
According to preliminary data of the ministry of agriculture, as of
August 20, Armenia has already collected 73% of wheat crop - about
170,000 tons and 39.8% of barley crop - around 90,000 tons.
Galstyan said the grain output this year is to decline in Russia,
Kazakhstan, Ukraine, USA, Canada.
"This in mind, the government of Armenia has taken some steps,
including the implementation of a program for the development of
seeds," he added.
According to a government program, by 2014 the country is to achieve
self-sufficiency in grain and abandon imports. Armenia annually
consumes up to 650,000 tons of food grains and relies on import for
nearly two thirds of its grain consumption. -0-
YEREVAN, August 23. /ARKA/. A deputy minister of agriculture, Samvel
Galstyan, said today the Armenian government expects this year's grain
output to be over last year's 440,000 metric tons.
According to Galstyan, because of bad weather, including cold snaps
last November, lack of snow cover in winter and low rainfall in March
and April, grain yield in some parts of the country will be lower than
last year.
He said forecasts of higher output are based also on increased land
under grains. For example, last year the total area under grains
expanded by almost 19,000 hectares.
According to preliminary data of the ministry of agriculture, as of
August 20, Armenia has already collected 73% of wheat crop - about
170,000 tons and 39.8% of barley crop - around 90,000 tons.
Galstyan said the grain output this year is to decline in Russia,
Kazakhstan, Ukraine, USA, Canada.
"This in mind, the government of Armenia has taken some steps,
including the implementation of a program for the development of
seeds," he added.
According to a government program, by 2014 the country is to achieve
self-sufficiency in grain and abandon imports. Armenia annually
consumes up to 650,000 tons of food grains and relies on import for
nearly two thirds of its grain consumption. -0-