2007 starting year for organic agriculture in Armenia

Arka News Agency, Armenia
Aug. 11, 2006

2007 STARTING YEAR FOR ORGANIC AGRICULTURE IN ARMENIA

YEREVAN, August 11. /ARKA/. The year 2007 will be a starting year for
the formation of organic agriculture in Armenia, RA Minister of
Agriculture David Lokyan stated at his meeting with Romanian experts
in organic agriculture. According to him, organic agriculture is an
all-important strategic direction for Armenia’s agrarian sector.
The Minister pointed out the importance of this type of economy for
Armenia’s farmer because of small areas. According to him, this type
of economy may help resolve the problem of competition with other
countries.
"We face certain difficulties in competition, particularly with Iran
and Turkey. So steps have been made in this direction for about two
years," the Minister said. Lokyan believes that it is time for
Armenia to consume "wholesome food."
Lokyan stressed that "organic agriculture will allow Armenia’s farms
to receive additional profits from their small land-plots."
In this context, he pointed out the importance of studying the
experience of the former Soviet countries, which can produce positive
results.
A delegation of Romanian experts in organic agriculture arrived in
Armenia on August 9, 2006, under a grant program "Days of organic
agriculture in Romania and Armenia" implemented by the "Green Lane"
NGOs. P.T. -0–