YEREVAN. – Armenia’s Agriculture Minister Sergo Karapetyan and Energy and Natural Resources Minister Armen Movsisyan on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding, whereby they expressed a readiness to assist the Vanadzor Khimprom Company in resuming the production of chemical fertilizers.      

And after the signing ceremony a press conference was held, during which it was noted that the number of large sowing areas has increased in Armenia and constituted around 312,000 hectares, and, as a result, the level of proper use of arable land has made up 69.5 percent so far this year.     

In line with the National Statistical Service data, the agricultural products attained in January-May 2012 are worth AMD 150.1 billion [approx. US$ 363,507,596], which surpasses by 3.2 percent the indicator for the same time period last year. 

There are positive indicators in the sale of agricultural products, too. And a total of 8,302.58 tons of fruits and vegetables were exported from Armenia as of Tuesday, as compared with the 4,360.87 tons for the same time period last year.    

Also, the Armenian fruit and vegetable processing companies have provided 3,858.6 tons of fruits and vegetables as of Tuesday.     

During the press conference, the Agriculture minister also spoke about the state assistance programs.