Armenian Minister of Agriculture Ignati Arakelyan has visited today number of greenhouse farms in Kotayk region of Armenia. According to the release, by the ministry, the minister attended the greenhouse for growing roses by Ecotomato Company, which is among the top five companies in the rose-growing market worldwide, according to its production volumes.

The farm is equipped with new equipment for the cultivation of rose and automatic monitoring and control system. Greenhouse founder Markos Gharibyan has informed they intend to expand the farm territory for additional 15 hectares of land to become the world’s largest greenhouse for cultivating rose.

Aside from that, the land expansion will open up opportunity for the greenhouse to drop the production cost of the rose by 20-22 per cent and double the export volumes. Speaking of the drop in gas price, Gharibyan has expressed his satisfaction since energy carriers made up 50 percent of their cost production, while the changed gas tariff will further decrease production cost for the cultivated rose for an estimated 5-6 per cent. Within the working visit Minister Arakelyan has also visited Progress Argo company specialized in planting vegetable in Nor Gegh Community.

Chairman at the company Samvel Karapetyan has noted that 90 percent of the vegetables are exported to Russia. Tomato harvest comprises 51-52 kilogram per square meter with an estimated 1,900 tons grown annually.  Hydroponic system is applied to tomato cultivation in the greenhouse. The company plans to expand the greenhouse territory by additional 12,2 hectares. Karapetyan has noted with satisfaction the decrease in gas price would enable the company to attract additional resources for the development of the sector.