YEREVAN, MAY 16, NOYAN TAPAN. In 2007, the overall expenditures of agriculture made 8 bln drams (about 27 mln USD), 2 bln drams of which was allocated for salaries of employees in forestry and veterinary service, the RA minister of agriculture Davit Lokian said at the May 16 discussion on execution of the 2007 state budget at the National Assembly. In his words, the ministry implemented three large programs last year. In particular, under the subsidising program in Aragatsotn and Chambarak, farmers were allocated 35 thousand drams for cultivating a hectare of land on certian conditions. Besides, pedigree animals were brought to Armenia and given to farmers. Commodity credits were given at 0% interest rate for four years. This process will continue, and, according to the minister, another 500 pedigree animals were brought into the country in recent days. As a result of this program, it is envisaged producing up to a million tons of dairy products in Armenia in 2012. A program on grain crops' import and seed production is also underway. The states compensates for some part of the expenses: about 110 mln drams is allocated to farms. As a result of this program's implementation, in 2011 Armenia shall become a self-sufficient country in terms of wheat and corn production, while in 2012 it will reach the first degree of self-sufficiency when 75% of demand for grain is met domestically. Another big program of the ministry is construction of dams of the Arax River, for which about 1.4 bln drams was allocated in the autumn of 2007. The ministry also provides credits to farms.

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