The Minister of Agriculture Dmitry Patrushev got acquainted with the spring field work in the Stavropol Territory, the development of its reclamation complex, as well as modern technologies for researching agricultural crops during a working trip to the region. The head of the Ministry of Agriculture met with Governor Vladimir Vladimirov, toured the laboratories of the Rosselkhozcenter branch, visited one of the largest sugar beet production enterprises in the region, as well as the Novotroitskoye reservoir, where a large-scale reconstruction is currently underway.
During the working meeting, Dmitry Patrushev and Vladimir Vladimirov discussed the key growth points for the region’s agro-industrial complex. The Stavropol Territory is the main food producer in the North Caucasus. According to the Minister, the index of agricultural production in the region for the past year amounted to 127.4%, which is the highest figure in the country.
About 4 billion rubles of federal funds were allocated to the region for the development of the agro-industrial complex in 2022. At the moment, more than 25% have been delivered to the final recipients, which is above the average for Russia.
Now seasonal field work is in the active phase in the Stavropol Territory. The sowing rates of cereals, sugar beet and sunflower are ahead of last year. The region occupies one of the leading positions in the collection of grain – last year, Stavropol farmers harvested more than 9 million tons. As Dmitry Patrushev noted, this year significant funds are provided to support grain producers, including more than 270 million rubles for the Stavropol Territory. At the same time, for the growth of crop yields, it is important not to reduce the volume of mineral fertilizers.
“The decisions of the Ministry of Agriculture of Russia to support the industry, promptly adopted in February this year, instilled confidence in the Stavropol workers, helped in a non-standard economic situation to stably carry out the sowing season. The condition of winter crops is generally not bad. The weather is good so far, we are counting on a decent harvest this year and already today we are thinking about the future. There are reserves of seed material for the 2023-2024 harvest, and we are also conducting import substitution in this direction,” Vladimir Vladimirov said.
The Minister got acquainted with the course of the sowing campaign at the Agrosakhar enterprise. Now sowing of spring crops, as well as sugar beets, is carried out here. Last year, the region doubled the production of this crop. Dmitry Patrushev expressed confidence that the Stavropol Territory will traditionally make a big contribution to the overall results of the agro-industrial complex in 2022. The Ministry of Agriculture of Russia, for its part, will continue to provide the region with comprehensive support aimed at both stimulating agricultural production and developing the reclamation complex.
The work of the local branch of Rosselkhoztsentr, one of the most advanced in the country, helps to provide Stavropol farmers with high-quality seed material. The organization evaluates the sowing and varietal qualities of seeds, phytosanitary monitoring, demonstration tests of plant protection products, agrochemical survey of fields and designs irrigation systems. In addition, the branch is a major manufacturer of biological products. Dmitry Patrushev assessed the level of equipment of laboratories for seed production, plant protection and toxicological studies.
Particular attention during the working trip was paid to the development of the reclamation complex. The subject uses 85% of the available reclaimed agricultural land, which is a good basis for the implementation of a new specialized state program. The head of the Ministry of Agriculture got acquainted with the reconstruction of the Novotroitsk reservoir. It is used for drinking water supply, irrigation of agricultural land, fish farms, desalination of the Manysky lakes and the transfer of water resources to the Rostov region and the Republic of Kalmykia. As part of the reconstruction, preparatory and earthworks, engineering preparation of the territory, dredging, diving and hydraulic works will be carried out. In total, it is planned to allocate 3.3 billion rubles for these purposes. The project implementation period is until 2024.
