The number of large and small cattle has decreased significantly, whereas the yield has decreased in Pambak, Yeghegis, Dilijan and Talin communities due to climate change. Beekeeping is also decreasing due to the decline of bees. All this has led to a decrease in the farmer's income: these problems were shared by the local residents in response to EcoLur's inquiries. They affirmed that to deal with these effects of climate change, the problem of irrigation water must be solved first.
It should be noted that Armenia is considered the most sensitive country to climate change. 100% of the Armenian territory is subject to hail, drought and frost, 30% to mudslides and flooding. More than 80% of the land areas in Armenia are subject to the effects of erosion, desertification, salinization, over-wetting, water logging.
It is predicted that until 2030, the yield of agricultural crops will decrease by 8-14%, the areas of subalpine and alpine pastures by 19-22%, and the volume of crops obtained from them by 4-10%.
On the other hand, the volume of agricultural production is affected by the loss of agricultural lands. Only during 2011-2021, about 80 thousand ha of agricultural lands were transferred to another land category.
According to the land degradation neutralization program, it was planned to develop the draft of the RA government's decision "On defining the exceptional cases of transfer of agricultural land to another category", the purpose of which was to exclude unjustified withdrawal of land from agricultural circulation. However, the Armenian government adopted the decision without the word "exceptional". This decision allows the transfer of agricultural lands to other purposes without defining exceptional cases.
These problems are a serious challenge for the country's food security. According to the development strategy of the food security system, food insecurity in Armenia is high. Over half of the population is at risk of food insecurity. 23% of surveyed households are in a food insecure situation, and 56% are on the threshold. Infrastructures and capacities for rapid response to potential food crises are severely inadequate.
TRA Government has adopted National Climate Change Adaptation Program, Food System Development Strategy, Strategy of Main Directions for the Economic Development of the RA Agricultural Sector for 2020-2030, Disaster Risk Management Strategy for 2023-2030 and a number of other decisions and programs, some of which provide for measures is to reduce risks in the agricultural sector.
November 07, 2023 at 15:55