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APRICOT-O-METER: NO BUMPER CROP PROSPECT FOR ARMENIA'S BLESSED FRUIT THIS SUMMER
Gayane Lazarian
ArmeniaNow
28.06.11
This year Armenia expects to harvest about 20,000 tons of apricots,
or less than a third of what is considered a bumper crop of the fruit
in the country, according to a leading agriculture expert.
Hrach Berberyan, the chairman of the Agrarian-Peasant Union of Armenia,
says half of the expected apricot crop will be consumed domestically,
a quarter will be reprocessed and the other quarter will go for export.
"During the bumper crop years we would normally have some 70-75,000
tons [of apricot]. Hail has left its adverse effect, but let's also
consider that 10-15 percent of apricot orchards have gone dry,"
says Berberyan. "Besides, there is also a problem with keeping
agro-technical rules, farmers poorly organize plant protection, which,
in its turn, depends on material resources."
According to Berberyan, exports of apricot in conditions of the
30-percent crop should not come at the expense of the population --
in other words local consumers should not pay more for the fruit just
because the bulk of it is exported.
"We are not against export, but one should understand one thing -
our farmers first and foremost work for our people. It is the export
of the surplus that should be encouraged," says the specialist. "In
general, only 10-15 percent of the crop should go for export."
At the same time, Berberyan characterizes the vegetables crop situation
as "medium satisfactory". In contrast, a rich peach crop is expected
in Armenia, he says. Also, according to the specialist, a drought is
expected and it is recommended that potato growers should carry out
some light irrigation to avoid the drying of the root-plant.
According to Berberyan, the Agrarian-Peasant Union and the Police
of Armenia have reached an agreement that traffic police will, from
now on, refrain from stopping trucks laden with agricultural produce
(such as for inspection purposes, etc, while, naturally, will interfere
should traffic rules be broken).
"A police worker acting otherwise will be punished. If farmers meet
such cases they may phone the hotline by dialing (010) 54-07-81. We've
taken this step in order to support farmers by facilitating their
way to the markets," says Berberyan.
From: A. Papazian
Gayane Lazarian
ArmeniaNow
28.06.11
This year Armenia expects to harvest about 20,000 tons of apricots,
or less than a third of what is considered a bumper crop of the fruit
in the country, according to a leading agriculture expert.
Hrach Berberyan, the chairman of the Agrarian-Peasant Union of Armenia,
says half of the expected apricot crop will be consumed domestically,
a quarter will be reprocessed and the other quarter will go for export.
"During the bumper crop years we would normally have some 70-75,000
tons [of apricot]. Hail has left its adverse effect, but let's also
consider that 10-15 percent of apricot orchards have gone dry,"
says Berberyan. "Besides, there is also a problem with keeping
agro-technical rules, farmers poorly organize plant protection, which,
in its turn, depends on material resources."
According to Berberyan, exports of apricot in conditions of the
30-percent crop should not come at the expense of the population --
in other words local consumers should not pay more for the fruit just
because the bulk of it is exported.
"We are not against export, but one should understand one thing -
our farmers first and foremost work for our people. It is the export
of the surplus that should be encouraged," says the specialist. "In
general, only 10-15 percent of the crop should go for export."
At the same time, Berberyan characterizes the vegetables crop situation
as "medium satisfactory". In contrast, a rich peach crop is expected
in Armenia, he says. Also, according to the specialist, a drought is
expected and it is recommended that potato growers should carry out
some light irrigation to avoid the drying of the root-plant.
According to Berberyan, the Agrarian-Peasant Union and the Police
of Armenia have reached an agreement that traffic police will, from
now on, refrain from stopping trucks laden with agricultural produce
(such as for inspection purposes, etc, while, naturally, will interfere
should traffic rules be broken).
"A police worker acting otherwise will be punished. If farmers meet
such cases they may phone the hotline by dialing (010) 54-07-81. We've
taken this step in order to support farmers by facilitating their
way to the markets," says Berberyan.
From: A. Papazian