Thursday, 26 July 2012
8-9% Growth Expected In Agriculture
Minister of Agriculture Sergo Karapetyan was the keymote speaker at the news conference that followed today’s cabinet sitting at the government’s press center.
S. Karapetyan outlined the achievements and the expectations in the field of agriculture for the first half of 2012.
According to the Minister, a good foundation is up for the development of agriculture owing to the steps taken by the Armenian leadership.
S. Karapetyan provided data from the National Statistical Service for the first half of 2012, evidencing that the GDP rose by 8.1% to AMD 203,600bn as compared to the same period of last year.
“Analyzing the dynamics of agriculture, we can see that the greatest increase is recorded in crop production - 28% - and cattle breeding - 2%.”
According to the speaker, agriculture will boast a 8-9% growth by this yearend.
Especially important are the achievements in the field of horticulture where we have 12,130 tons of exported apricots against last year’s 7300 tons. Processing entities purveyed 2,830 tons of apricots last year, while this figure reached 6,150 tons this year.
Sergo Karapetyan informed that the harvest season is not yet complete in the highlands, therefore the figures may be higher by yearend. The Minister said to be pleased with the productivity of peach trees and apple trees, as well as the expected harvest of grapes.
S. Karapetyan’s greatest concern is associated with the arable crops, where there are still some difficulties. “As a whole, to my mind, our greatest achievement is the increase in acreage by 25,300 hectares.” the Minister of Agriculture emphasized.
According to the speaker, associations of milk producers and processing farmers will be set up gradually. They will cooperate on a contractual basis in order to promote the common interests.
Details in the audio material
