Wednesday, 15 May 2013
Government Set To Support Hailstorm-Hit Farmers
Chaired by Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan, a consultation was held in the Office of Government to discuss the situation associated with the recent hailstorm.
Minister of Agriculture Sergo Karapetyan reported that the hailstorm has affected 43 communities covering an area of 17,000 hectares. Community-based committees are currently estimating the extent of the damage.
According to the Minister, vineyards and to some extent fruit gardens have suffered most of all. According to Sergo Karapetyan, the damage caused to the sowing areas, vegetable and melon crops can be addressed through re-seeding. To this end, an inventory of seeds and seedlings has been drawn up to compensate the farmers, with some of the seeds to be imported from abroad. The farmers will be provided with fertilizers and diesel fuel.
Wrapping up the meeting, the Prime Minister said, “The assistance has to be as objective and targeted as possible: it should only go to the vulnerable.”
On the instructions of the Head of Government, an interdepartmental committee will be set up, chaired by Minister of Territorial Administration, Vice-Prime Minister Armen Gevorgyan to discuss the issue of anti-hail stations and submit proposals to the Government.
