Saturday, 12 March 2016
Ministry of Agriculture Submits 2015 Performance Report
Chaired by Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan, the Cabinet discussed the annual performance report submitted by Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Armenia, which covered the Ministry’s key activities, its compliance with the Government’s action plan, priority tasks and estimated performance in 2015.
Speaking about the activities carried out in 2015, Minister of Agriculture Sergo Karapetyan noted that all the proposed 13 activities and 2 priority tasks were successfully completed in the period under review. According to the Minister, growth in agricultural output had augmented the share of agriculture in the country’s overall economic activity. According to data available from the NSS, gross agricultural output in 2015 amounted to AMD 1.2 billion drams, 11.7 percent more than in 2014. The level of intended use of arable land rose to 78.8 percent.
In tune with the procedure established by the Government, soft loans to a total amount of about 15.2 billion drams were provided to domestic farmers at an interest rate of 14%, of which 6 percent was subsidized by the Government. Food processing companies purchased 43.5 thousand tons of vegetables - a 27.6% increase over last year’s index; 20.6 thousand tons of fruit - 48.3% increase as compared to 2014. In 2015 the country exported 76.7 thousand tons of fruit and vegetables, grapes and potatoes, including 34.4 thousand. tons of fruits and berries, of which 21.3 thousand tons of apricots.
The law on agricultural cooperatives was developed and adopted by the National Assembly in 2015. The advisory system of the Ministry of Agriculture assisted the formation of 22 agricultural cooperative. The coverage of cultivated land increased in the period under review; a slight growth was recorded in the output of products of animal origin.
The Government continued supporting the programs aimed at increasing crop production, cattle breeding, cereal cultivation and facilitating access to agricultural resources. Implemented were cattle breeding, plant protection, animal immunization activities, as well as research and consultancy services.
The report of the Minister of Agriculture was followed by performance accounts delivered by the Director of the Ministry of Agriculture-affiliated State Food Safety Service Armen Hairapetyan, Deputy Chairman of State Water Management Committee Volodya Narimanyan, Head of Agricultural Projects Implementation Unit State Agency Gagik Khachatryan and Director of Armenia Forestry SNCO Martun Matevosyan.
Summing up the report, the Head of Government positively assessed the activities of the Ministry of Agriculture in 2015, expressing satisfaction with the organization of the process of harvesting and processing of agricultural products.
Prime Minister Abrahamyan stressed that the Ministry of Agriculture has a lot to do this year as well. Efforts should be combined in order to keep up with the progressive pace of development in this field.
The Premier urged to pay regular visits to the provinces and hold discussions with local businesses in order to identify the existing problems and find appropriate solutions.
The Prime Minister instructed the Minister of Agriculture and the heads of relevant agencies to keep the problems in spotlight, as well as to be consistent in the implementation of the agreements reached.
Thanking the Prime Minister for appreciation, the Minister of Agriculture said it makes them work more actively and effectively.
