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Animal production as well as that of several important crops decreased in the period of the last eight years. The system of scientific research and practical distribution of research disintegrated. Changes in financing disrupted activities of research institutes and experimental departments. The disparity between agricultural production and equipment and machinery costs is one of the reasons for the difficult situation in agriculture. The problems of granting credits to farmers have not been solved, and as a result many farms, instead of increasing their production, have become a mere self-sustaining units what is conducive to cutting of links between agricultural production and food-processing industry. Formerly Armenia exported to other regions of the Soviet Union dozens of thousands of tons of fresh apricots, peaches, grapes, vegetables and early potatoes, as well as processed products, such as canned food, juices, wine and brandy. Currently Armenia exports only a small quantity of brandy. The new economic situation has resulted not only in the loss of foreign markets but also in disruption of international cooperation. Agricultural structure has changed as well. Despite these extremely negative effects in economy and production, the potential capacities in agriculture in Armenia have been preserved. Today it is necessary to provide farms, food processing enterprises, and agricultural research institutions with quality information on prices and demand in domestic and foreign markets, and also to give some directions as to the possible state of such demand a few years ahead. This may significantly stimulate agricultural production. Climatic conditions in the subtropical belt in Armenia facilitate production of valuable cultures such as apricots, peaches, geranium, and vegetables. These may be exported to foreign markets. Production and export of best vegetable seeds is of great interest. Production of vine seedlings of brandy and sweet wine varieties, which have been produced in Armenia for many centuries, is also of high significance. To realize the above Armenia needs to organize an information system in assistance to producers and government bodies. Better data managing may improve production structure in agriculture, and facilitate meeting of market requirements. ArmNIINTI (stands for Russian transliterated acronym for Research Institute for Scientific and Technical Information of Armenia), and RSTL (Republican Scientific and Technical Library) organize many activities in this area. Library funds number 22 million units (including patents and standards). ArmNIINTI activities ·
ArmNIINTI has four branches in four districts of Armenia what facilitates contacts with farms and enterprises. These branch departments are equipped with information tools and cooperate closely with the central ArmNIINTI. Besides the RSTL, there is also a large library at the Agricultural Academy. Sections of agricultural literature are kept also at the National Library and at the Library of National Academy. After the 6th Roundtable, new bibliographical databases have been created including databases on labor resources, and production capacity of industrial and food processing enterprises. |
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