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WHEAT CONCERNS: AGRICULTURE SPECIALIST PREDICTS LOSS OF HARVEST
By Gohar Abrahamyan
ArmeniaNow
09.07.12 | 16:23
At a press conference on Monday Hrach Berberyan, the president of
the Agrarian-Rural Union of Armenia NGO, spoke about the agricultural
year, raising concerns over the poor wheat crop and urging the prime
minister to write off the farmers' related debts.
In September 2011, Armenia imported 1,100 tons of high-quality grain
seeds from Russia, which was supposed to have high yield. Whereas,
according to Berberyan, in the Ararat, Armavir, Shirak and Aragatsotn
provinces where the high-quality grain has been grown, the height
of the wheat stem is only 17-22 centimeters instead of normal 50-60
centimeters.
"Our research has shown that we have a loss of about 4,500 hectares
of wheat, the wheat stems do not grow properly, and not a single
combine harvester will be able to reap the wheat," Berberyan said,
adding that the present situation is the result of not testing the
imported wheat species.
"Six out of eight imported [wheat] varieties are unknown to Armenian
farmers. During the first two years they grow properly, however,
after the second year they start being degenerated," Berberyan said.
Addressing his words to Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, he added:
"Please, establish strong control and punish those who are in charge
of the import and testing of the [wheat] varieties."
Berberyan believes that it is necessary to forgive the debts of all
the farmers who have got the high-quality grain seeds and are to pay
150-180 drams (about 36-43 cents) per kilo.
As for the apricot yield, according to Berberyan, Armenia is expected
to harvest 45,000-50,000 tons of the fruit this year, 40 percent more
than last year (27,000 tons).
Besides, referring to the irrigation water issue and the additional
volume of water to be drained from Lake Sevan, Berberyan said that it
should not be grounded by drought, because drought is quite relative
in Armenia, it is usually registered from mid-July to mid-August in
the lands which are not irrigated.
"The snowy winter this year, as well as quite rainy June and first
days of July raise doubts over the expediency of draining additional
water from Lake Sevan, because most of the reservoirs are full of
water these days," Berberyan said.
From: A. Papazian
By Gohar Abrahamyan
ArmeniaNow
09.07.12 | 16:23
At a press conference on Monday Hrach Berberyan, the president of
the Agrarian-Rural Union of Armenia NGO, spoke about the agricultural
year, raising concerns over the poor wheat crop and urging the prime
minister to write off the farmers' related debts.
In September 2011, Armenia imported 1,100 tons of high-quality grain
seeds from Russia, which was supposed to have high yield. Whereas,
according to Berberyan, in the Ararat, Armavir, Shirak and Aragatsotn
provinces where the high-quality grain has been grown, the height
of the wheat stem is only 17-22 centimeters instead of normal 50-60
centimeters.
"Our research has shown that we have a loss of about 4,500 hectares
of wheat, the wheat stems do not grow properly, and not a single
combine harvester will be able to reap the wheat," Berberyan said,
adding that the present situation is the result of not testing the
imported wheat species.
"Six out of eight imported [wheat] varieties are unknown to Armenian
farmers. During the first two years they grow properly, however,
after the second year they start being degenerated," Berberyan said.
Addressing his words to Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, he added:
"Please, establish strong control and punish those who are in charge
of the import and testing of the [wheat] varieties."
Berberyan believes that it is necessary to forgive the debts of all
the farmers who have got the high-quality grain seeds and are to pay
150-180 drams (about 36-43 cents) per kilo.
As for the apricot yield, according to Berberyan, Armenia is expected
to harvest 45,000-50,000 tons of the fruit this year, 40 percent more
than last year (27,000 tons).
Besides, referring to the irrigation water issue and the additional
volume of water to be drained from Lake Sevan, Berberyan said that it
should not be grounded by drought, because drought is quite relative
in Armenia, it is usually registered from mid-July to mid-August in
the lands which are not irrigated.
"The snowy winter this year, as well as quite rainy June and first
days of July raise doubts over the expediency of draining additional
water from Lake Sevan, because most of the reservoirs are full of
water these days," Berberyan said.
From: A. Papazian