The condition of the winter crops in Tatarstan is estimated to be 97 per cent good and satisfactory

Speaking at the videoconference in the Government House of the republic held by Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov with all municipalities of the republic, the regional Minister of Agriculture and Food Marat Zyabbarov reported that the condition of the winter crops sown on 479 thousand hectares last Autumn  in Tatarstan is estimated to be 97 per cent good and satisfactory.

Zyabbarov said that taking into consideration rather good potential of winter crops, it is necessary to use nitrogen fertilizers with the following foliar applications later. He informed that most of the regions of the republic have sufficient amount of fertilizers per a hectare and giving examples of farms with small amount of fertilizers stock, Zyabbarov said: “To start the sowing campaign with small amounts of fertilizers is a clear forecast of decreasing the crop yield and the losses of the agricultural industry in the whole. I ask to review your approaches to fertilizers as the suppliers have enough of them”.

Speaking about subsidies from the Russian budget, he said that next week the farmers and agribusiness organizations will start receiving more than 4.5bn roubles on their accounts and the applicants can find information on the Ministry site in the Financing section.

Reporting about seed supply, Zyabbarov said that 93 per cent of beet root, 85 of corn and 79 of sunflower seeds have already been delivered to farmers and the total contracted amount of seeds will be delivered to farms by the beginning of the sowing campaign.

Speaking about agricultural vehicles, he said that the repairs of tractors and sowing and ploughing vehicles have been completed and the dealers have all necessary spare parts for emergency repairs in their warehouses.

As far as procurement of new agricultural machinery is concerned, Zyabbarov informed that 893 new vehicles, including 115 tractors, 43 grain-harvesting and 13 forage-harvesting combines, 12 self-propelled sprayers and 719 sowing and ploughing vehicles have already been purchased on the total sum of more than 3bn roubles  

He also said that the Tatneft Oil Company has already allocated 70 thousand tonnes of concessionary diesel fuel to farmers at a price of 53 800 roubles per a tonne.

Zyabbarov reminded about special fire safety arrangements introduced in the republic from 25 April to 15 May of the current year. “The farmers brought to responsibility for fire in 2021 will not be given subsidies in 2022” - he reminded.

Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov gave an errand to keep the issues of seeds, fertilizers and fuel and lubricants procurement under special control during the spring field works.