The RA Deputy Minister of Economy Arman Khojoyan had a meeting with the Deputy Minister of Agriculture of the Russian Federation Sergey Levin within the framework of his working visit to the Russian Federation. The meeting was attended by heads of a number of subdivisions of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation, as well as Natalya Solovyova, the Head of the Phytosanitary and Seed-breeding Control Department of the Federal Veterinary and Phytosanitary Control Service (RosSelkhozNadzor).

The agenda of the meeting included a wide range of prospective topics of bilateral cooperation in the agricultural sector, including development of trade and economic relations between Armenia and Russia, increase of agricultural-industrial production volume, a number of issues related to seed-breeding, greenhouse construction, viticulture and wine-making, and other sectors.

Welcoming the visit of the RA Deputy Minister of Economy to the Russian Federation, Sergey Levin stressed the importance of the meeting with Arman Khojoyan, noting that frequent organization of such meetings will be an additional impetus for expansion of the Armenian-Russian cooperation in the agricultural sector and intensive development of collaboration.

Expressing gratitude for the warm reception, Arman Khojoyan briefly presented the strategic directions and priorities of Armenia’s agricultural sector, as well as the schemes of assistance provided by the state to economic entities.

During the meeting the parties referred to the turnover of agricultural-industrial products between the Republic of Armenia and the Russian Federation, which in 2019 amounted to $692.4 million, and in 2020 increased by 7.7% amounting to $745.8 million. Both sides stressed the necessity to increase the turnover of agricultural-industrial production. One of the problems identified in this regard is the limitation or absence of logistics infrastructure, the solution of which will allow more efficient sorting and organization of a stable and predictable supply.

Addressing the development tendencies of the seed-breeding sector in Armenia, Arman Khojoyan, in particular, noted that at present one of the target directions of the RA Government is development of production of grain and legume crops.

The RA Deputy Minister of Economy also stressed the importance of potato seed-breeding, emphasizing that development of potato seed-breeding and production of certified seedlings by biotechnological methods in Armenia will allow not only to satisfy the country’s domestic demand, but also to export to Russia and other EEU member states.

The interlocutors discussed issues related to operation and efficient use of anti-hail systems. The RA Deputy Minister of Economy stressed that the Armenian side is interested in studying the Russian advanced experience in application of anti-hail systems, as well as the Georgian and Moldovan experience in this area, and plans to arrange the interdepartmental commission’s visit to Russia to get acquainted with the experience on the site.

Among the topics discussed was the bilateral cooperation in the fields of viticulture and winemaking, in which Armenia has considerable experience. Arman Khojoyan emphasized that the educational system introduced at the Armenian National Agrarian University gives an opportunity to foreign students, too, to receive training in Armenia.

In order to facilitate and promote the sales of winemaking production of the two countries, as well enhance the trade and economic cooperation between the two countries, the Russian side was offered to organize joint exhibitions of wine products, wine tastings, tours for bloggers and media representatives to the wineries of Armenia and Russia, lectures, master-classes, and other events.

The possibilities of enhancing collaboration in the scientific field were also discussed. A separate reference was made to the programs that are already being implemented by the Armenian and Russian business circles. The Russian side expressed readiness to support the implementation of joint initiatives and agreements.

The issue of mutual interest on effective use of lands was raised. Currently Russia is handling the issue of inefficient use of lands quite strictly, and in near future it plans to even tighten its approaches to contribute to the increase of the land use efficiency. As the effective use of land is also among the priorities of the Government of the Republic of Armenia, an agreement was reached to study the Russian experience of this matter and actively cooperate with Russian partners while implementing land reforms in Armenia.

During the meeting, the interlocutors considered the capacity development of scientific research institutes and wide opportunities for collaboration in this direction.