Novgorod Region Kicks Off Trial Potato and Vegetable Harvest with Strong Yield Forecasts

Governor Alexander Dronov announced via his VKontakte page that trial harvesting of potatoes and vegetables has begun in four districts of the Novgorod Region—Novgorodsky, Borovichsky, Shimsky, and Chudovsky. This year, local farmers aim to harvest approximately 18,000 tons of grain, 124,000 tons of potatoes, and 82,000 tons of vegetables. Early results are promising: 4.5 hectares of potatoes have already been harvested, yielding 135 tons, while 2 hectares of vegetables produced 75 tons. To support the campaign, over 1,700 units of machinery—including tractors, potato harvesters, and grain combines—have been prepared and deployed across the fields.

In addition to the current harvest, farms are proactively preparing for the winter season. Soil is being tilled for winter crops, with planting areas expected to increase by nearly one-third compared to last year. Fodder procurement for livestock is also underway, with 83% of the plan already completed. Governor Dronov has instructed the regional Ministry of Agriculture to monitor harvesting operations on a daily basis to ensure smooth progress and timely completion. The coordinated efforts reflect the region’s commitment to strengthening food self-sufficiency and agricultural stability.