Villagers deprived of support – residents of Lori region on government inaction

Residents of Armenia’s Lori region, during a survey, noted that state support for villagers is virtually nonexistent, while the interest rates on loans provided to the agricultural sector are quite high.

“The government does not help people like us by offering loans at least at 5 percent. I took a loan at 20 percent, but the payments are too high. We borrow money just to be able to pay off the loans. They do not understand that farmers only harvest in November. Only then do we earn a small amount—and even that depends on whether we manage to sell anything,” said one community member.

Survey participants also complained about a shortage of water, noting that they had relied on natural springs, but those too were shut down, with officials claiming the water was unfit for drinking.