5000 ha sultana vineyards to be grown in Armenia within 5-7 years

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian Harvest Promotion Centre (AHPC) CJSC has developed a pilot Program on Intensive Establishment of Sultana Vineyards in the Republic of Armenia and is implementing it with the support of Yerevan Brandy Company. The long-range goal is to establish up to 5000 ha sultana vineyards in Armenia and to increase the export volumes of Armenian high-value sultana grapes in high demand in foreign markets within 5-7 years.

The selection of the sultana grapes is conditioned by the sorts’ universal nature, i.e. they can be exported both as high-value table grapes and as raw materials for high-quality raisins and vine production.

In order to receive rooted cuttings by means of soil and soilless production, over 400 thousand purebred sultana grape cuttings have been collected from pure-bred vineyards in spring. Approximately 3,1 ha nurseries have been established in the area of the Institute of Hydroponics Problems and in the experimental farm in Nalbandyan village, Armavir region of the Scientific Center օf Viticulture, Fruit Growing and Wine Making under the Armenian State Agraraian University.

Relevant works are carried out in the Scientific Center of Agrobiotechnology for receiving planting material in accordance with the “in vitro” method. Under the program, approbation, selection, genetic identification and passportization of sultana grapes are also carried out.

The National Academy of Sciences of Armenia, the State Agrarian University, the Yerevan State University and “Tierras de Armenia” company take part in the program.

In autumn of the present year, 200-250 thousand high-quality pure-bred rootings will be received from the nurseries.

During this autumn and spring of the next year 80-100 ha vineyards are to be established with the received rootings.

“The AHPC conducts negotiations with landlords and horticulturists in order to establish vineyards with pure-bred rootings in accordance with modern technology solutions. Under the program, we shall support investors in the establishment of the vineyards, sale of the produce and in receiving other appropriate assistance. Guaranteed mechanisms regarding export and sale of products will be introduced in parallel with increase in the production volumes of sultana grapes”, said Aleksan Arakelyan, the Director of Investments of the company. He also mentioned that the program anticipated rehabilitation and development of the entire technological chain ranging from the stoolbed to the establishment of a new vineyard, expansion of sultana vineyards year after year and to expand their the territory till 5 000 ha, Armenian Harvest Promotion Centre press service said.