Lawmaker: We need to create a normal atmosphere for investments

It was a good year for agriculture but farmers were unable to sell their harvest, which gave rise to discontent in many places. To solve the problems existing in the sector, Vazgen Safaryan, Chairman of the Union of Domestic Producers, proposes to establish a structure that will deal with these issues. “The structure will bridge the state with farmers,” he said. Mr Safaryan says we also need to develop a new economic policy to help farmers to sell a bumper harvests and make a profit from it. Armenian lawmaker Lyova Khachatryan added in turn that Armenian farmers are unable to enter the markets which are available for them. “We are not ready for it because of the lack of market relations. Our external debt exceeds $ 5 billion. Where do you spend the money? Why don’t you give part of it to our farmers? We are taking loans but we are not giving new products, we are not opening new workplaces,” he said. Mr Khachatryan says we have an opportunity to develop the agricultural sector, but we need to make proper investments. “We need to create a normal atmosphere to encourage people to make investments in Armenia. Agricultural input subsidies are available in all countries expect Armenia. We have imported 28,000 tons of poultry but in time Armenia was a country that exported poultry to other countries. Gas prices have been falling for months but it is already ten years farmers in Armenia have been paying 6000 drams for fertilizer,” he said.