ArmInfo.On January 27, the Armenian government made changes to a number of programs implemented in the field of agriculture.
In particular, the volume of loans provided within the framework of the program of subsidizing interest rates on loans to the agricultural sector is set at 3-15 million drams (in all targeted areas - the purchase of bees, bee colonies, beehives, the construction of livestock complexes and technical support, the purchase of livestock, poultry, rabbits, fodder, purchase of seeds, seedlings, agricultural land). The beneficiaries of the program will also be given the opportunity to change the target direction of the loan by submitting an application to a financial institution, change the grace period for repayment of the loan, making it 3 years and 6 months, respectively.
Changes and additions have also been made to programs aimed at stimulating the introduction of modern irrigation systems. It is proposed to increase the cost compensation for the installation of modern irrigation systems to 50% instead of the earlier 22% and 25%. In addition to building pools, businesses are also given the opportunity to expand existing pools. Communities will also be able to take advantage of this opportunity. The mandatory requirement to publish a list of bodies conducting laboratory studies of the agrochemical composition of the soil has been removed from the program, which allows enterprises to independently choose the appropriate service provider. At the same time, the acquisition of land for horticulture is permitted, as long as the maximum cost limits calculated by the program are not exceeded.
In order to stimulate the production of cattle, the government has amended one of the previous decisions. Thus, within the framework of the program, it is proposed to provide a loan in drams with a y-o-y interest rate of up to 14%. Subsidizing the interest rate on granted loans will be from 2 to 3% per annum.
The Cabinet of Ministers has revised the terms of the state support program for the development of sheep and goat breeding in Armenia for 2019-2023. It is noted that due to changes in interest rates in the financial market, the provision of a loan at 12% by financial institutions participating in the program has become unprofitable, it becomes necessary to revise the interest rate on the loan. The loan will be provided in drams at a y-o-y interest rate of up to 14%, 12% of which is subsidized.
Changes have been made to the program of state support for the construction or reconstruction of small- medium "smart" livestock complexes. Within the framework of the program, loans will be provided in drams with a maximum effective interest rate of 14%. Subsidizing will be carried out in such a way that the interest rate on the loan is 2%, and for disabled people undergoing military service or military service in the border areas, at a zero interest rate. The maximum loan amount must correspond to the estimated cost of the models mentioned in the program. The loan repayment period is up to 5 years; the grace period for the principal debt is up to 1 year.
New regulations are also provided for in the financial leasing program - support for the leasing of agricultural machinery in the Republic of Armenia. It is planned to provide leasing in drams with a y-o-y interest rate of up to 12%, of which up to 10% is subsidized, in foreign currency - with a y-o-y interest rate of up to 9%, up to 6% is subsidized. The total cost of equipment purchased by companies operating in the field of sorting fresh fruits and vegetables, grain, as well as grain packers and processors, slaughterhouses has been reduced from 1 billion drams to 200 million drams. During the term of the lease agreement, the costs of compulsory insurance of the leased asset are borne by the lessee, and not by financial organizations.
