Resident of the Arax district of the Armavir region in Armenia,Gevorg Khachatryan told Armenian press that is he concerned that Armenia’s crops will no longer exist and the market will be flooded with Turkey’s agricultural products in case of the opening of the border.
He brought up the example of the watermelons imported from Iran. Prices go down as soon as the watermelons reach Armenia, but the villager only gets pennies from the watermelons that he grows.
Gevorg Khachatryan also talked about problems facing villagers despite the fact that the season for production has not begun yet.
“The villagers prefer to sell their products than give them to large producers because the producers offer very low prices.”
Gevorg Khachatryan says that they barely make enough money because nothing is left after they pay for land, water and seeds.
“I buy seeds for 11,000 drams on credit. During the Soviet years, we used to receive the seeds by demand. Now the land has been consumed and you have to pay to receive it,” says Gevorg Khachatryan who grows apricots, pears and apples.
In addition, the climate is unpredictable. “When the clouds gather, we villagers gather and pray that nothing happens. We thank God for not hitting us with hail, but it hits the other village.”
Does the government provide compensation after the natural disasters?
“What compensation? I have not received any compensation to this day.”
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
