A number of Russian regions need to increase the rates of the spring crops planting campaign, and ensure its completion in the optimum agrotechnical terms, stated Alexander Tkachev, Minister of Agriculture of the Russian Federation, on May 18.
First of all, it concerns the Siberian and Northwestern Federal Districts, where the weather conditions complicate providing of the spring crops planting works, and agrarians have managed to plant crops throughout 17% and 36% of the forecasted areas, respectively.
According to A.Tkachev, the Government took incomprehensible measures to support the domestic agriculture, and confirm the level of production achieved last year.
At the same time, Petr Chekmarev, Director of the department of plant growing and protection at the Ministry of Agriculture, said that Russian agrarians planted spring crops throughout 39% of the general forecast areas. In particular, the Central, Crimean, Southern and North Caucasian Federal Districts reached 70% of the forecasted areas, while regions of the Volga District – 40% only.
Also, agrarians planted sunflower seed throughout nearly 50% of the forecast areas, spring rapeseed – 33%, and soybeans - 28.6%, said the official.
