Farmers Are Being Removed from Markets in Armenia, Highlighting Banks' Presence: Participants of the Agricultural Market Closure Protest

Today, agricultural product sellers held a protest in front of the government at the Kasian-Komitas intersection market. It should be noted that the Municipality has decided to close the long-standing agricultural market that has operated on weekends at the Kasian-Komitas intersection.

The farmers state that they are being offered an alternative location near the Hrazdan Stadium, but they disagree with this option. Hayk Baghdasaryan, who has been the director of the market since last year, mentioned that the reason for not wanting to move to a new location is not dissatisfaction with their current space, but that farmers are not willing to wait for a new market at the cost of having their products spoil.

When asked what they plan to do after the government's response, he noted that the government's reasons are unfounded; the same issues they list could arise in the other proposed locations as well. If there are actual problems, they are ready to discuss and address them.

One farmer added that the entire issue arose when the Kasian market, which operated for farmers on Saturdays and Sundays, was banned starting in 2011. "Mr. Prime Minister, in all of Russia, they want to create markets for your farmers, but here in Armenia, farmers are being pushed out of the market, showing them the banks' locations instead,” he said. “Farmers expect your direct intervention on this matter.”

Another point raised is that moving to a different location means starting anew, and people do not have time for that, especially today. Hayk Baghdasaryan further noted that farmers are encouraged to cultivate the land, and they want as low a cost price for their products as possible. “Today we have mature products, and we are already facing sales issues. People have brought their harvest in preparation for that market, and now they are saying there will be no market. Why will there be no market? Setting up a market requires extensive work, and products need to be sold before they spoil,” he emphasized.

Baghdasaryan stressed that they are not against the government; no one here is a person sent by someone else, everyone is a real farmer, and they should not be mixed with anyone else. “We want the government to solve this issue; it is ridiculous that this issue has been delayed for so long. Our goal is to make sure the Prime Minister knows that this problem has been around since January and is still unresolved,” he stated.

According to Baghdasaryan, one of the reasons for closing the market is that neighboring economic operators complain about having little trade. “Doesn't the farmer have the right to sell his products properly for two days, or is it written on his forehead that he must sell them at a loss while someone else sells at a much higher price and makes a profit?”

When asked about the lack of response from the government, he mentioned that a few farmers were fined for not wearing their masks correctly, and there is a threat that they could simply be dispersed.