Tweet
Low Harvest for National Fruit: Apricot yield destroyed by weather
http://armenianow.com/society/54211/armenia_weather_apricot_harvest
SOCIETY | 08.05.14 | 15:27
By GAYANE MKRTCHYAN
ArmeniaNow reporter
Armenia's apricot crop is expected to be low this year, due to the
unseasonably cold weather in late March and early April. Consumers can
expect to pay high prices, and the yield is not expected to be enough
for export.
Enlarge Photo
The national fruit suffered most in the Ararat Valley. According to
the head of the farmer's union Hrach Berberyan in a number of villages
in Armavir region, in Masis and Hoktemberyan nearly100 percent of
trees were frozen, and in Davalu village and neighboring areas of
Ararat region ` about 50 percent. Harvests are expected primarily in
Talin and Ashnak regions, also in the highlands of Kotayk and Vayots
Dzor.
`This year the price for a kilo of apricot in the domestic market will
reach 500 drams ($1.25). The reason is of course the huge loss of
apricot harvest,' Berberyan says.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture the damage of frostbite is
estimated as 11.1 billion drams ` about 27 million According to
estimations there will be 8,000 tons of apricot harvest this year, as
a contrast to last year's 90,000 tons.
`There will not be as much apricot for reproduction and export, and
reproducers can fill that gap by other fruit like plums or peaches.
Because of the weather early peach and plum fields were also partially
damaged, also some types of table grapes,' says deputy minister of
agriculture Garnik Petrosyan.
According to Petrosyan they will provide some support for farmers who
suffered loss because of the weather.
`278 million AMD ($673,000) was given to the farmers as subsidy for
land taxes, as well as irrigation fee will be reduced by 50 percent.
Tomato, cucumber, melon and watermelon seeds were purchased to be
given to farmers, and if desired, they will also be provided with
grape seedlings. No damage has been recorded regarding early potato
harvest,' Petrosyan says.
Referring to creating agricultural insurance in Armenia the deputy
minister mentioned that there is no other alternative, but two years
are necessary for creating such a program, investigation in the field
has already started. An insurance system will first be applied in the
field of animal breeding, and then as a trial in the field of farming,
because farming is very risk vulnerable.
http://armenianow.com/society/54211/armenia_weather_apricot_harvest
SOCIETY | 08.05.14 | 15:27
By GAYANE MKRTCHYAN
ArmeniaNow reporter
Armenia's apricot crop is expected to be low this year, due to the
unseasonably cold weather in late March and early April. Consumers can
expect to pay high prices, and the yield is not expected to be enough
for export.
Enlarge Photo
The national fruit suffered most in the Ararat Valley. According to
the head of the farmer's union Hrach Berberyan in a number of villages
in Armavir region, in Masis and Hoktemberyan nearly100 percent of
trees were frozen, and in Davalu village and neighboring areas of
Ararat region ` about 50 percent. Harvests are expected primarily in
Talin and Ashnak regions, also in the highlands of Kotayk and Vayots
Dzor.
`This year the price for a kilo of apricot in the domestic market will
reach 500 drams ($1.25). The reason is of course the huge loss of
apricot harvest,' Berberyan says.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture the damage of frostbite is
estimated as 11.1 billion drams ` about 27 million According to
estimations there will be 8,000 tons of apricot harvest this year, as
a contrast to last year's 90,000 tons.
`There will not be as much apricot for reproduction and export, and
reproducers can fill that gap by other fruit like plums or peaches.
Because of the weather early peach and plum fields were also partially
damaged, also some types of table grapes,' says deputy minister of
agriculture Garnik Petrosyan.
According to Petrosyan they will provide some support for farmers who
suffered loss because of the weather.
`278 million AMD ($673,000) was given to the farmers as subsidy for
land taxes, as well as irrigation fee will be reduced by 50 percent.
Tomato, cucumber, melon and watermelon seeds were purchased to be
given to farmers, and if desired, they will also be provided with
grape seedlings. No damage has been recorded regarding early potato
harvest,' Petrosyan says.
Referring to creating agricultural insurance in Armenia the deputy
minister mentioned that there is no other alternative, but two years
are necessary for creating such a program, investigation in the field
has already started. An insurance system will first be applied in the
field of animal breeding, and then as a trial in the field of farming,
because farming is very risk vulnerable.