Ag Expert: Government should help hail-damaged communities (video)
Ten villages in Armavir marz can be considered a disaster zone after the recent hailstorm in the region, says the chairman of the Armenian Agrarian-Peasant Union. The hail didn’t just damage crops, but also leveled the plants to the ground. “The government should do something to help these people. Instead of extending the terms of loans or paying water bills, it should freeze loans and provide full compensation, otherwise people will be buried under a mountain of loans,” Hrach Berberyan said. He says this year we have had 40-percent reduction in crop production which will result in price hikes. “Potatoes are twice more expensive this year as compared with the same period in 2016. The picture is even worse in case of apricots and grapes. Farmers do not see their effectiveness and many will not grow the fruits next year. Grape harvesting companies still have debts to pay to farmers,” Mr Berberyan added.
