'Not Crazy To Mix Water with Milk: Milk Costs 100 AMD, Water Costs 200 AMD'

Decrease in milk collection price had heavy consequences on the social state of the villagers in Armenia. Villagers, who earn their living with cattle breeding, have to find other sources of income. A way out is emigrating to Russia, but here they also face disappointment.

'No one used to leave the village, we had many work places here, but now when the price of the milk is 100 AMD, men have to leave for Russia and return with empty pockets,' Katnarat villager complained in her interview with EcoLur, Lori Region.

'Our Agriculture Minister says you get milk free of charge, the cattle pastures in the fields, comes home and gives milk...And what about winter, how do we keep them in winter? We keep the cattle in the winter, but we don't get any milk – season for milk is summer,' Katnarat villagers complained.

One of them told us, 'The milk collector asks us whether we mix water with milk and I said I'm not crazy to mix water with milk, as milk costs 100 AMD, while water costs 200 AMD.'

This problem is inherent not only to Katnarat Village. All the villages dealing with cattle breeding may face this problem, which may result in the slaughter of cattle, decrease in their number and another wave of mass emigration.