Nearly Half of Agricultural Lands Remain Uncultivated: Pashinyan Visits Armavir Province

Nearly half of the agricultural lands in Armavir Province remain uncultivated. This was announced during a meeting led by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan at the provincial administration. The information was provided by the Prime Minister's press service.

"Out of the total 96,900 hectares of agricultural land in the province in 2022, only 43,850 hectares were cultivated, of which 58% were arable lands, 26% were fruit orchards, and 16% were vineyards. A total of 1,632 hectares of perennial orchards were established. Of the community agricultural lands totaling 23,625 hectares, 5,308 hectares have been leased," it was reported to Pashinyan.

It was also noted that in the past year, a total of 91,190 tons of grapes, 7,651 tons of fruits, and 10,715 tons of vegetables were harvested in the province, compared to 86,035 tons, 7,935 tons, and 5,268 tons, respectively, in 2021. During the previous year, 855 hectares of intensive orchards were established, bringing the total to 2,169 hectares of intensive orchards in the region.

Within the reporting period, 112 construction works were completed, including projects related to gas supply, irrigation systems, drinking water, renovation and construction of kindergartens, asphalt paving, and improvements to public buildings, parks, and apartment building roofs, elevators, and lighting systems, as well as the installation of a photovoltaic station.

Out of 111 schools in the region, 25 are in good condition, 55 are in intermediate condition, and 31 are in poor condition. Renovation and interior decoration works were carried out in 80 schools using saved funds. As a result of redistribution, dining rooms were renovated in 10 schools. The physical status of healthcare facilities was also presented, indicating that the Armavir Medical Center and the Baghramyan Health Center are in good condition, the Echmiadzin Medical Center is undergoing renovation, while the Metsamor Medical Center is in poor condition.

It was reported that in the reporting year, there has been a 22% increase in paid services compared to 2021.

Among the achievements highlighted was the Armenian Eye Care Project, the construction of a playground for children with locomotor issues, the introduction of a computer tomography service, and the acquisition of 17 medical devices, for which the government allocated 205 million drams. It was mentioned that medical equipment was also purchased using saved funds. Collaboration has developed with the V.A. Fanarjyan National Oncology Center, St. Grigor Lusavorich Medical Center, and Mikayelyan Institute of Surgery.

For 2023, the province has submitted 36 applications for subvention programs—160 subprojects in total. The volume amounts to 13 billion 99 million drams, of which 22 have been approved concerning 119 subprojects, totaling 9 billion 55 million drams.

It was reported that 6 kindergartens are currently under construction within the framework of subvention programs, 27 are being renovated, and 10 are undergoing repairs, while other works are being implemented in 26 kindergartens. Last year, the construction of 3 schools was completed, and 2 are currently under construction. In upcoming projects, the construction of an additional 10 schools will be included.

Listening to the reports, the Prime Minister emphasized the importance of implementing measures to increase the volumes of agricultural lands in the province, the effective management of water resources, the introduction of drip irrigation systems, and the establishment of intensive orchards. Pashinyan instructed those responsible to assess the programs implemented in the agricultural sector by the government and to take actions to enhance their effectiveness and accessibility.

Simultaneously, the Prime Minister instructed to inventory large state-owned lands and to consistently work to attract investors and implement investment programs. The food production activities in the province were addressed, emphasizing the need to change product standards and diversify export directions.

The meeting was attended by the Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures Gnel Sanosyan, the head of the Armenian State Inspection Service Romanos Petrosyan, Armavir Governor Edward Aghajanian, and other officials.