YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 5, NOYAN TAPAN. The 2010 draft state budget of the Republic of Armenia envisages 9.4bn drams for the implementation of agricultural projects in Armenia next year, Minister Gerasim Alaverdian said during the November 5 meeting with reporters. Out of this amount, 1bn 124m drams has been allocated to 6 noncommercial organizations functioning in the sector, and 730.7m drams will be spent on maintenance of the minister's staff and 379 employees of the ministry. Allocations to the plant protection program amount to 150m drams. 1 billion drams will be provided for vaccination of farm animals. Financing of 1bn 100m drams is envisaged for the program on state assistance to agricultural land users. The minister attached special importance to the project of wheat and barley seeds growing, on which 76.5m drams will be spent. The draft budget envisages allocating 78.2m drams to the program of education and scholarships, under which the ministry will open colleges in Goris, Gavar, Masis, Stepanavan, Vanadzor, and Nor Geghi.

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