If You Have Removed the Specialists, Mr. Minister, Who Will You Work With? Berberian

In the joint struggle, it is possible to put an end to the thrips infestation in the Ararat plain and other areas. This was stated by Hrach Berberian, the head of the Agricultural Farmers’ Union, in an interview with News.am.

According to him, in 2012, the thrips, or South American thrips, spread throughout the Ararat plain and, according to some data, also in the lower areas of the Kotayk region—particularly in greenhouses.

It is noted that the spread of this pest has significantly reduced the production of vegetables, especially tomatoes. Now, the Ministry of Agriculture hopes to increase the efficiency of vegetable production, particularly tomatoes, by 70% through a pilot program. The ministry expects support from scientists at the agricultural university.

“Currently, the situation regarding the thrips in the republic is the same as it was years ago, especially little has been done. I do not know who the Minister of Agriculture will work with, since he has dismissed the specialists,” Berberian said.

According to him, it is not accurate to refer to the thrips as the tomato thrips, as it damages not only tomatoes but also eggplants, potatoes, and peppers, as well as the plants themselves.

H. Berberian also recalled the times of Tigran Sargsyan, when there were plans to combat the thrips infestation, but the funds were redirected to insurance. “Tigran Sargsyan did not like agriculture.”