In Armenia 48 anti-hail stations will be installed in one year
In Armenia 48 anti-hail stations will be installed in one yearARKA, 09.04.2010
In Ararat and Armavir regions of Armenia 48 anti-hail stations will be installed in one year, said Khachik Harutyunyan, Head of Parliament Committee on Agricultural Issues and Nature Protection on Friday.
“Currently about 60 anti-hail stations are operating in Armenia and 28 are in the process of installation. This year 550 million drams was allocated from the State Budget for the construction of another 48 anti-hail stations. Thus, such called Ararat-Armavir border will be closed as hail clouds mainly come from Turkey”, said Harutyunyan.
Last year the State allocated about 1 billion 600 million drams to agricultural sector of mountainous regions which cultivate cereals.
Unfortunately, due to financial-economic crisis budgetary means were reduced making about 550 million drams this year.
Currently the State develops a concept of GDP of agriculture up to 5%.
In 2010 for installation of anti-hail stations in Armenia 800 million drams will be invested. In accordance with the earlier approved program of measures of the government on the development of anti-hail system in Armenia for 2010-2011, special attention will be paid to the regions of intensive agriculture threatening with hail – Aragatsotn, Ararat, Armavir, Kotayk, Lori and Shirak regions.
It is planned to install 79 anti-hail stations in these regions in 2010-2011 which will protect 30 thousand ha of land from hail.
Annual damage of agriculture in Armenia from different natural disasters is from $13 million to $20 million, half of which - from $7 million to $10 million is the damage of hail. -0-
