Minister: 1716 land users received assistance of 100 million AMD

31 rural communities in Shirak province and 15 communities in Lori province of Armenia were hit by heavy hail last week. 14 thousand hectares of sown areas were affected, including 12,000 ha sown with grain, 1,740 ha sown with potato and 636 ha sown with vegetables, Armenian Agriculture Minister Sergo Karapetyan said at the government session today.

According to him, 1716 land users in Shirak and Lori provinces received 629 tons of autumn seeds worth 100 thousand drams under the 2013 state assistance programs.

“We should defer the return of seeds until next year,” the minister said reminding those present that famers were expected to return seeds this year.

S. Karapetyan said that over 3900 land users from hail-hit areas have submitted applications for distribution of 1,600 tons of autumn seeds in 2014.

Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan said he recently visited the hail-hit areas and familiarized himself with the situation. “We should help farmers,” he said, instructing Chairman of the Central Bank of Armenia Arthur Javadyan to assist farmers with loans.