Strong Armenia faction leader Narek Karapetyan has called for restoring Armenia’s Ministry of Agriculture, arguing that the sector lacks coordinated management amid what he described as a sharp decline.
Speaking during a National Assembly debate on proposed amendments to the Law on the Activities and Structure of the Government, Karapetyan said agricultural indicators had fallen by up to 10%, Panorama.am reports.
Addressing Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Arnak Avetisyan, Karapetyan argued that a dedicated ministry could improve coordination of irrigation, agricultural production and land management.
“Irrigation is one problem, the procurement of agricultural produce is another, and there is no body to coordinate them,” he said.
Karapetyan maintained that restoring the ministry would also facilitate the consolidation and management of agricultural land and the implementation of reforms, with results becoming visible within one or two years.
Avetisyan said the government considers agriculture a form of economic activity and develops policy for the sector on that basis. He added that no change to this approach is currently planned.
Karapetyan disputed that position, arguing that the government’s approach had contributed to the downturn he described.
Avetisyan said proposed measures to develop a unified policy for the integrated management of land and water resources could improve the effectiveness of agricultural policy. He added that development of the sector remains a government priority.
Avetisyan said proposed measures to develop a unified policy for the integrated management of land and water resources could improve the effectiveness of agricultural policy. He added that development of the sector remains a government priority.
