Assistance for those Affected by Unexpected Frost

The Government of Armenia acknowledged at its April 10th weekly session that the recent adverse weather conditions wreaked havoc on the country’s agricultural industry.

On March 30-31, heavy snow and hail caused severe damage to apricot and other fruit trees across the country, in particular, in the Ararat plain and lower mountain slopes.

In order to minimize the damage, the Government of Armenia designated as a priority the procurement of different types of seeds. These seeds will be distributed to the Regional Administrations (Marzkentron) of Armenia, which will in turn provide them to those landowners who were worst affected by the frost. Eighty-five million AMD has been allocated to the Ministry of Agriculture for this purpose from the account of the non-commercial state organization “Seed Agency.”  That agency will distribute the seeds to the Regional Administrations of the Marzes of Aragatsotn, Ararat, Armavir, Lori, Vayots Dzor and Tavus, which in turn will deliver the seeds to landowners within 10 days.

In line with another decision aimed at reversing the damage, the price of barley seeds will be cut from 200 AMD to 130 AMD within the barley, corn, alfalfa and sweet clover sowing production development project for the Spring. In addition, nitrogenous fertilizers and fuel will be sold without any limitation on quantity, but according to the amount of land the farmer owns.

A further 271 million AMD has been allocated to those frost stricken Marzes to exempt citizens and legal entities from land tax and payments due to community budgets. The Ministry of Territorial Administration has similarly allocated 487 million AMD to the State Water Committee to exempt farmers from payment of irrigation tariffs in 2014. The Government foresees that this state support will create favorable conditions to make it possible to use frost-damaged land productively and thus increase yields and farmers’ incomes.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Territorial Administration Armen Gevorgyan chaired today’s government session. He noted that the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs will also continue to provide state support for those farmers whose lands were damaged during the frost. Gevorgyan reminded everyone that last year, 120 million AMD were allocated to help 630 farmers in Armavir Marz whose crops were damaged by hail. As for those affected by this year’s frost, 150-200 million AMD will be allocated. The relevant draft decision has already been presented to the government and will be discussed soon.