“According to the operational data of the regions, the grain crop today is almost 110 million tons, exceeding the level for the same period in 2018 by more than 11 million tons. We see that the targets of the State Agricultural Program on gross output have already been achieved. By the end of the year, we are counting on over-fulfillment of the plan and expect total grain harvest in the amount of about 118 million tons. In particular, wheat crop growth is forecasted to reach 78 million tons,” said the head of the Ministry of Agriculture.
Summing up the preliminary results of harvesting in 2019, Mr. Patrushev emphasized that not only quantitative, but also qualitative indicators are growing. In particular, in 2019, for the first time in seven years, wheat of the highest, first class has been detected.
This year more than 7 million tons of potatoes, about 5 million tons of open-field vegetables, and a record crop of vegetables in winter greenhouses will be harvested - 1.2 million tons. Compared to last year, oilseeds, sugar beets and fodder are being gathered at a faster pace.
The growth of key indicators of agricultural production was achieved, despite the difficult weather conditions and state of emergency introduced in a number of regions. At the same time the government provide all necessary assistance to the affected farmers in a timely manner, and the Ministry of Agriculture keeps under special control transactions to the affected agricultural producers.
The Minister emphasized that increasing the effectiveness of government support measures and improving industry regulation mechanisms allowed to increase insured areas, the volume of loans for seasonal field work, provide farmers with enough seeds, fuels and lubricants, and also accelerate the renewal of the agricultural machinery park.
As the Minister noted, the resources available to farmers cover all current needs, exceeding last year's indicators in a number of areas. “These factors let us successfully complete recent harvesting campaign as well as effectively carry out sowing of winter crops and lay the foundation for the 2020 crop. Currently, winter crops are sown on more than 70 percent of the projected area. In total, it is planned to sow 17.5 million hectares,” he concluded. ■