Most Lands in Martakert Region Unable to be Cultivated Due to Azerbaijani Positions

In the Varankataq community of the Martakert region, most of the lands cannot be cultivated due to being under the observation of Azerbaijani positions. This was stated by the community leader, Hrant Bakhshiyan, in an interview with Artsakhpress, elaborating that the villagers do not consider these areas safe, and as a result, they have only been able to cultivate a small part of their arable lands this year.

"Due to security concerns, land users are unable to cultivate these areas. Indeed, we have provided plots of land in the suburban areas, but we have a resident who has several dozen hectares of arable land that is under enemy fire," said the community head.

According to him, despite this, they have been able to carry out some grain sowing in the suburban areas this year, and in comparison to previous years, they have expanded the areas for vegetable crops.

"We received seeds for potatoes and several crops from the Artsakh Republic Agricultural and Rural Development Fund and the Red Cross. There is a resident who has managed to plant enough potatoes that he sells part of the harvest in neighboring settlements, but due to a shortage of transport fuel, he cannot deliver them to Stepanakert," H. Bakhshiyan reported, adding that the harvest of vegetable crops, including potatoes, beans, and cucumbers, has already begun.

According to the community head, fruit orchards were damaged this year due to hail. Nevertheless, they have managed to obtain some mulberry harvest, from which they plan to make fruit compote and vodka.

Our interlocutor noted that in the post-war period, few residents engage in animal husbandry, providing for their families and somewhat for the village's demand. Hrant Bakhshiyan assessed that the results of the ongoing haymaking give hope that there will be no shortage of fodder in the winter.