Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan, with the accompaniment of RA Minister of Agriculture Sergo Karapetyan, visited on 4 May the Verin Artashat and Norashen villages of Ararat province. The head of government met with the representatives of the rural economies of the villages, was familiarized with their issues of concern and answered their questions. Addressing the villagers, the Prime Minister mentioned that the government has defined agriculture as a supreme direction for the development of agriculture. “We will support villagers with specific programs and actions. Of course, all that requires large amounts of funding, but the fact remains that we have the political will and will take action. Most government officials will be visiting the villages and provinces to try to establish contacts with the villagers and understand their problems,” Hovik Abrahamyan said.

According to the Prime Minister, the government’s working style will be “to promise and fulfill the promise”. The head of government mentioned that villagers also have to accept the fact that time and financial resources are required to solve the existing problems. “At the same time, all villages must be aware of the specific itinerary for implementation of the particular program. We’ll do everything possible to procure financial resources to solve the problems,” the Prime Minister mentioned.

Addressing the damage caused by the cold weather, Hovik Abrahamyan stressed the fact that the government would compensate the land tax for devastated rural economies completely and the fee for irrigation water partially. The government is also extending the deadlines for redemption of interest rates for loans and is carrying out programs to subsidize fertilizers, diesel and seeds.

Talking about the government’s upcoming programs, the Prime Minister mentioned that the programs will be aimed at enhancing cooperatives and infrastructures. The government will also be discussing the issue of carrying out programs for the provision of long-term loans with low interest rates.

During the meeting, the residents of Verin Artashat and Norashen villages also raised the issues related to the ambulatory, reconstruction of the irrigation water system and the renovation of roads. Hovik Abrahamyan pledged to discuss the issues and find solutions to those issues.

The Prime Minister also pledged to assign government officials to discuss the inflation of the price for grape production with representatives of reprocessing companies.

The residents of the village congratulated Hovik Abrahamyan on his appointment as Prime Minister and wished him success, as posted on the official website of the RA Government.