A state cannot have real security if it does not value the work of farmers, Wings of Unity party prime ministerial candidate Arman Tatoyan said during a meeting with residents in Armavir.

He addressed several major agricultural issues, particularly irrigation water, agricultural procurement and the social conditions of farmers, Aysor.am reports.

“We must do everything so that farmers do not face problems related to irrigation water. Our program contains a clearly defined plan regarding irrigation water. The fees should be only symbolic amounts. If you do not provide water to farmers, they will struggle throughout the year, they will not have results and will not know what harvest to expect. That is why we have planned to reduce irrigation water tariffs for household and non-commercial agricultural land owned by farmers. The irrigation water price for the entire season should be 500 drams for half a hectare, 1,000 drams for one hectare, 2,000 drams for two hectares, and so on,” Arman Tatoyan said.

He also spoke about problems related to the procurement of agricultural products, stressing that it is unacceptable for farmers to be left alone with their difficulties and forced to negotiate under unequal conditions with large-scale buyers. Tatoyan emphasized that the state should also support farmers in organizing procurement and ensuring fair conditions.

According to the prime ministerial candidate, the development of agriculture and the protection of farmers’ rights should become one of the priority directions of state policy.

The election campaign, which began on May 8, will continue until June 5. June 6 will be a day of silence, while elections will take place on June 7.