Marat Akhmetov: The sowing campaign is coming to the end in the republic

On May 17, at a regional meeting held by Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov at Tatarstan Government House, Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Agriculture and Food Marat Akmetov reported that with 90 per cent having been done, the sowing campaign is coming to the end in Tatarstan.

Marat Akhmetov noted that today works to sow the corn, rape, buckwheat and potatoes remain to be completed.

The Minister paid particular attention to a small amount of rain in the republic, noting the importance to keep the soil moist, while the moisture presents in the top layer of the soil.

As for the feeding stuffs, Marat Akhmetov reported that its average balance in the republic makes about 8 centners per one conditional head, noting the need to provide the farms with the feeding stuff reserve. He continued that today experts recommend sowing the Sudan grass and millet as the feeding stuffs, especially if there is little rain.

Marat Akhmetov said that 140,000 hectares of the corn or 70 per cent of the plan have been sown, adding that some regions are behind the schedule.

According to Marat Ahmetov, special attention should be paid to protection of crops from pests.

We do not know what the weather will be, and we must take all the measures to retain moisture in the soil, Rustam Minnikhanov said, commenting on the situation. He added that those irrigation facilities that were planned to be put into operation must be set, especially for vegetable crops.

Rustam Minnikhanov is sure that today the republic should actively use moisture-saving technologies and change taking into account the current situation.