Five State-of-the-art Modular Slaughterhouses to be Developed in Armenia On 19 December 2012, the Ministry of Agriculture of Armenia and five private companies (Private Enterpreneur Khasik Titanyan (Lori region), AGAT 777 Ltd (Aragatsotn region), ZOR Ltd (Kotayk region), Arzni Breeding Poultry Farm OJSC (Kotayk region), and ARALER TOT CJSC (Vayots Dzor region) signed cooperation agreements to develop five state-of-the-art modular slaughterhouses in Armenia. The project for developing slaughterhouses, supported by the government of Greece and the UN FAO, was officially approved by the Greek government in 2009 with a total budget of 1.6 million US dollars. But as the financial crisis prevented the project from being implemented in 2009, it was prolonged for another four years, till August 2013. Establishment of five modern slaughterhouses will help local companies and service providers build new capacity and improve the quality of services provided.

Food to become cheaper due to agricultural fair in Yerevan YEREVAN, DECEMBER 21, ARMENPRESS. In the approaching New Year season, the citizens will buy agricultural food from the agricultural fair, which is organized for this very reason. The agricultural fair targets the growth of the peasants’ income, as well as restoration of peasant-citizen relations. The Deputy Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Armenia Robert Makaryan stated this in a conversation with "Armenpress". The Deputy Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Armenia stated: "The agricultural fair is a unique opportunity for the citizens to buy fresh food directly from the peasants without any mediators, but also it is a rather good opportunity for a peasant to realize his production." The third agricultural fair will be opened in Saryan Park on December 22. Among other things Makaryan stated: "There was a strong necessity to increase the number of agricultural fairs advancing New Year." In addition he noted that presently they are at the stage of negotiations with the municipality about organizing agricultural fairs in certain regions of the capital next year. The agricultural fair, which will be organized in Saryan Park, will be open every day until December 30.

Armenia, Iran ink 5-year lease agriculture agreement PanARMENIAN.Net - Iran and Armenia will sign a new agriculture agreement during RA Syunik province governor’s visit to Iran’s East Azerbaijan Province, Director-General of East Azerbaijan province Department of Agriculture Jihad said. “Under the new agreement, Syunik province will for five years let on lease pasture for five thous. heads of cattle from East Azerbaijan province,” Massoud Mohammadian said. “Armenia will get agricultural equipment in exchange,” he said, voicing Iran’s plans to construct a meat-packing plant and feed materials production Center in Armenia, İRNA reported.

New UN FAO Armenia representative visits Agriculture Ministry YEREVAN, DECEMBER 11, NEWS.AM: Armenia’s Agriculture Minister Sergo Karapetyan received Antonio Alonzi, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) newly appointed Armenia representative.  The minister congratulated Alonzi for assuming such accountable position, Agriculture Ministry press service informs. Speaking about the FAO programs being carried out in Armenia’s agriculture, the minster pointed out the cooperation in the past two years and expressed a hope that this partnership would become even more productive.   Karapetyan presented the FAO representative the key issues that are extremely important, in terms of developing Armenia’s economy, and in which the Ministry expects FAO assistance in resolving these matters. Assuring that he stands ready to contribute as much as possible to the implementation of FAO programs in Armenia, Antonio Alonzi asked for the provision of substantiations with respect to these matters, so as to submit them to FAO discussions.

Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs hosted newly appointed representative of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in Armenia YEREVAN, DECEMBER 11, ARMENPRESS: Armenian Minister of Foreign Affairs Edward Nalbandian hosted newly appointed representative of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in Armenia Antonio Alonzi on December 11.   As Armenpress was informed from the press, informational and public relations department of Armenian MFA, congratulating Alonzi on his appointment Minister Nalbandian hoped that during his office Antonio Alonzi would develop the cooperation between Armenia and Food and Agriculture Organization and assured that Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs would support his activity. Antonio Alonzi expressed his gratitude for the warm reception and assured that would spare no effort for expending the range of the FAO programs implemented in Armenia. During the meeting interlocutors had discussion on the implementation of new programs in Armenia which would be conducive for the development of Armenian agriculture. 

Agriculture Minister meets with Syrian Armenians PanARMENIAN.Net - RA Ministry of Diaspora organized a meeting Dec 5 between Syrian Armenians and Agriculture Minister Sergo Karapetyan. Minister Karapetyan briefed those present on Armenia’s agriculture, hailing introduction of the international expertise with an aim to boost the level of crop yield. He further expressed Armenian government’s readiness to assist Syrian Armenians willing to engage in agriculture with registration of a company, search of areas and provision of consultation, press service of RA Diaspora Ministry reported.

Armenia Vaccinated Cattle, Sheep After Anthrax Outbreak in East Armenia vaccinated thousands of cattle, sheep and goats against anthrax after an outbreak of the disease in Gegharkunik province in the country’s east, an alert to the World Organization for Animal Health showed.