Armenian PM to prioritize agricultural development

Armenian Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan met activists of the Republican Party in Oktemberyan (Armavir Region) and said that agricultural development would be a priority for the next 5 years, ARKA reports.

He noted that Armenian villages will have infrastructure and service system formed, as in Yerevan.

The main aspects of agriculture to be developed are seeding, agricultural equipment and production of fertilizers. Armenia has been importing elite seeds from Russia in the last two years, for the first time in decade. Armenia plans to produce 30,000 tons of seeds annually to have self-sufficient seed production.

90% of agricultural equipment has become outdated and needs modernization.

Sargsyan noted agreements to import harvesters from Russia and tractors from Belarus. The government is developing leasing companies for the purpose.

The World Bank is assisting in development of a program to subsidize 50% of funds needed for purchases of agricultural equipment for 55th most socially-unsupported communities.