Tatarstan Minister of Agriculture Marat Akhmetov reports on the progress of the procurement of seed grains for the next year harvest in regions of the republic

On November 18, speaking at a regional video-conference in the Tatarstan Government House held by Prime Minister of the republic Alexey Pesoshin with participation of heads of municipal regions of the republic, Tatarstan Minister of Agriculture and Food Marat Akhmetov reported on the progress of the procurement of seed grains for the next year harvest in Tatarstan. He pointed out that quality seeds is the basis of good harvest.

Akhmetov said the total demand for seeds for cereal and leguminous crops makes of 350,000 tonnes. As of today, 353,000 tonnes of seeds or 101 per cent of the total required have been loaded into seed storage facilities. 

"From next year, the programme for the overhaul of seed storage facilities will be launched, with 30 per cent refund of the costs incurred. First of all, this programme should be for those farms that do not have normal seed storage conditions. I urge you to take advantage of this form of support," Akhmetov said addressing heads of the municipalities.

He also noted that today it is very important to preserve the highly reproductive composition of seeds.

Corn is another important crop for the region. It is cultivated on an area of about 300,000 hectares, a considerable part of it is used as silage. Much depends on the correct purchase of quality hybrids, Akhmetov said. "We have been dealing with corn for several years, and we have proven suppliers that traditionally provide high-quality corn seeds, their contact details are available on the website of the Ministry of Agriculture," the minister said.

He also informed the meeting that the YugAgro Agricultural Exhibition will be held in Krasnodar on November 27-30, 2017. Akhmetov recommended representatives of large agroinvestors to attend this exhibition and visit local factories to purchase seeds without intermediaries.