The RA Minister of Agriculture Sergo Karapetyan received the delegation of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) comprising Khalida Bouzar, IFAD Director for the Middle East, North Africa, Europe and Central Asia, Patrick Herlant, the Head of IFAD projects in Armenia and other guests.

 

The delegation has arrived in Armenia on the occasion of the launch of “Infrastructure and Rural Finance Support Programme” in Yerevan.

 

“In the course of its long activities in Armenia IFAD has implemented a number of important projects that have been very productive. I am confident that the launching programme will be successful and promote the further development of the agricultural sector in our country,” Sergo Karapetyan said, welcoming the guests.

 

The Minister also briefed the guests on the current state of the sector, identifying priority issues. In this context, the Minister particularly stressed the importance of the issues of fruit and vegetables, meat and milk processing plants, refrigerators, dryers, as well as agricultural marketing.

 

The Minister also stressed the need for development of organic agriculture, investment of new technologies in irrigation systems, construction of new reservoirs, creation of agricultural cooperatives.

 

Considering the fact that every three years the Fund discusses the possibility of implementing projects in different countries Khalida Bouzar proposed to the Ministry of Agriculture to develop a new programme of agriculture development that will be approved by the Council of IFAD in 2017. Ms. Bouzar also added that a group of experts will be sent to Armenia to help in developing the programme.

 

During the meeting the sides also discussed other issues of bilateral interest.

 

At the end of the meeting Sergo Karapetyan expressed hope that the Foundation will continue to develop and expand the cooperation with the Armenian side.

 

 

 

Division of Information and Public Relations of

the RA Ministry of Agriculture

 

 

 

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