RA PRIME MINISTER TIGRAN SARGSYAN TRAVELED TO VAYOTZ DZOR MARZ ON A WORKING VISIT TO GET ACQUAINTED WITH THE STATUS OF TAMARA FRUIT CJSC-IMPLEMENTED ORGANIC GARDENS’ PROJECT
Wedn esday, 5 August 2009
RA Prime Minister Tigran Sargsyan traveled to Vayotz Dzor marz on
a working visit to get acquainted with the status of Tamara Fruit
CJSC-implemented organic gardens’ project. The Prime Minister was
accompanied by Chief of Government Staff David Sargsyan, Minister
of Economy Nerces Yeritzyan and Minister of Agriculture Gerasim
Alaverdyan.
The government has subsidized Tamara Fruit CJSC to the amount of
AMD 300 MN for the organic gardens’ project. The company is going
to launch an organic tree nursery for raspberry-canes, black and red
currant bushes etc.
450.000 saplings are expected to be produced annually covering the
needs of about 60 ha gardens nationwide.
First, Tigran Sargsyan went to Hobik section which hosts about 4 ha
of blackcurrant and raspberry plantations on the basis of premium
quality seedlings imported from Holland.
Then, the Prime Minister called a consultative meeting at the
headquarters of Vayotz Dzor marz administration during which he was
briefed on the work done under the project.
To begin with, the head of government noted that this innovative
project may open up vast opportunities for sustained development
of this branch in Armenia. Organic fruit cultivation offers good
prospects as it will generate several hundreds of strategic jobs
all over the country. The sales problem which has been a serious
impediment to farming will be solved as there is a great demand for
these fruits Noteworthy is that the processing company is cooperating
with farmers under this project.
According to the Prime Minister, this project implies a tripartite
agreement between the Government, Tamara Fruit and individual farmers
providing for mutual control and a targeted use of funds: "Corruption
risks are absent in this case," Tigran Sargsyan has said by adding
that this branch is supposed to have a great export potential in
Armenia. 1-2 tons of crops from 50 hectares will result in USD 1.5
worth of exports which can be expanded in the long run. "Farmers are
getting know-how with new possibilities offered to them," the Prime
Minister said. The head of government called on our farmers to use
the expertise of Tamara Fruit and apply modern technologies in this
area. "The market is sizeable enough and we should think of stepping
up output," Tigran Sargsyan noted.
Vayotz Dzor marz governor Vardges Matevosyan expressed high
appreciation of the government’s assistance and added that this
undertaking may have good outlook in Armenia.
President of Tamara Fruit Boris Hovanisyan advised that 3-4 tons of
young trees will be available as early as next year, with 10-12 tons
expected within 3-4 years. According to Mr. Hovanisyan, a similar
nursery is going to be established in Azatamut village of Idjevan
region. AMD 66.3 million has so far been spent out of the total of AMD
300 million allocated in the form of subsidy under the project. Over
100 jobs are currently available at the factory with an average of
3000 dram daily pay. The bulk of Tamara Fruit’s output is exported
toward Hungary, Poland, the Czech Republic and Germany.
Minister of Agriculture Gerasim Alaverdyan advised that at this
point corporate and individual farmers are submitting bids for over
35 hectares of organic gardens to be launched in Tavush, Lori and
Kotayk marzes of Armenia.