Chaired by Prime Minister Nikola Pashinyan, on the eve of the Government, a meeting was held on the results and planned programs achieved in agriculture in 2020.
According to the press service of the head of the Cabinet of Ministers, Deputy Minister of Economy Arman Khodjoyan reported that according to the statistical committee, in 2020, GDP in the agricultural sector increased by 1.4%. In the sphere of crop production, an increase of 2.3%, animal husbandry - 0.6%. The area of sowing land was 228 thousand hectares, the number of irrigated land - 155 thousand.
In the number of programs of state assistance in 2020, the leasing program was intensified, within which 295 units of agricultural equipment were acquired, and the number of beneficiaries increased almost twice. Noticeable growth was recorded within the framework of the program of intensive gardening. Compared to 2019, in 2020, the area of intensive gardens increased almost 10 times and amounted to 518.6 hectares, the number of beneficiaries increased from 17 to 53. According to the Deposit of the Deputy Minister, taking into account the growing interest in the program, in 2021 it is planned to implement a systematic approach in 2021, which will also include the educational component, and in the agrarian university will be implemented short-term and long-term courses for intensive gardening.
The rural insurance program in 2020 was implemented in 6 regions of Armenia and included two agricultural specifications. In 2021, the number of agricultural crops to be insured to bring to 11 to implement the program in all regions of Armenia is planned. Progress was recorded in the framework of the program of tribal animal husbandry and cattle breeding. This was also facilitated by UNDP, in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia, in cooperation with the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Armenia, the Miasin project for the construction of "smart" livestock farms. In 2020, 20 "smart" livestock farms were built, 35 contracts were signed, which are now at the implementation stage. The project is implemented in the border settlements of the regions of Gegharkunik, Vajots Uzzv, and in the Syunsk region it will be available from February 15. Measures were taken to vaccine livestock. Completed preparation for livestock numbering program.
Touching on the process of blanks, the deputy minister noted that in 2020 98 thousand tons of vegetables and fruits were harvested, which is 11 thousand tons more than last year. The mapping of grape plantings was carried out, it is important to create a registry that will continue this year, the geography of the regions will be expanded. In order to stimulate the exports of local wines, it is provided for in 2021 to create a warehouse for comprehensive storage of goods in Berlin, as well as the online playground, through which Armenian wines will be sold throughout Europe. Work in this direction continues.
Legislative reforms were carried out in the field of brandy production. Currently, negotiations are underway to support the processing and export sectors with the leadership of a network of three Russian supermarkets in order to open representation in Armenia, a logistics center and organizing direct export of local products to these supermarkets. On World Bank loans in 2020-2021. Contracts have been signed with 57 processing companies for the modernization of production facilities and the implementation of food storage systems.
As for the agricultural loans subsidized by the state, then in 2020, compared with the previous year, the number of loans increased by more than 4 times, the volume of the loan portfolio increased almost twice. The Prime Minister was reported on the results of the program and the upcoming plans for the management of pastures and the development of infrastructure for 2020. The veterinary service center was built on the TBI in the village of Kotayk region, the audience of the Faculty of Livestock Agrarian University is equipped with modern equipment, the construction of pasture irrigation systems has been completed in 8 communities. In 2021, the veterinary service center will be built in the Tumanyan region community, the center of 11 communities will be carried out on the construction of pasture irrigation systems, in 70 communities it is planned to build a collection site for livestock, which will serve for the numbering and vaccination of livestock.
The Deputy Minister noted that in 2021 the continuation of the programs of state promotion of agriculture was scheduled. In the near future, a program to promote the production of spring grain, legumes and fodder crops will be presented.
Nikol Pashinyan stressed the importance of positive dynamics and consistent implementation of effective programs and noted that no support program for strategic importance should remain beyond state assistance.
Pashinyan Prime Minister asked the current situation in the field of water use. It was reported about the process of reforming the water supply system, the management of accumulated water-users of debts for the purpose of the system's rehabilitation. In this context, issues of increasing the profitability of the system were discussed. The Prime Minister instructed to explore the options to improve the accuracy of planning the water use process, minimizing water loss, systemic solutions to the repayment process by water-based debt companies and submit them to discussion.