Secretary of Armenia’s Security Council, Armen Grigoryan, has proposed an unexpected solution to enhance the country's food security: replacing wheat with rice as a strategic commodity.
This statement comes amid Armenia's efforts to diversify its economic ties and reduce dependence on traditional suppliers.
At the "Crossroads of the World: Uniting Security and Democracy" conference, Grigoryan suggested a surprising approach to strengthening the country's food security, stating that replacing wheat with rice as a strategic product is a viable option.
Grigoryan emphasized that when evaluating national security, it's important to consider not only the defense aspect but also strategic goods. "We must assess the situation from the perspective of people's needs. Strategic goods can be replaced, allowing the economy to become more flexible and preventing others from targeting our strategic resources," he noted.
This proposal is particularly significant in the context of Russia being the primary supplier of wheat to Armenia. The suggestion to shift to rice as a strategic product could be seen as a move towards diversifying economic ties and reducing reliance on traditional suppliers.
Grigoryan’s idea has sparked lively debate among experts. Some view it as a bold and innovative approach to ensuring food security, while others are skeptical about the practical feasibility of such a transition.
It is worth recalling that Russia remains the leading exporter of grain to Armenia, according to Armenia’s Statistical Committee. In 2023, Russia accounted for 99.9% of the total grain supplies to the Armenian market. Currently, Armenia meets 75% of its annual grain needs through imports.
