Rustam Minnikhanov proposes to strongly support agricultural enterprises that participate in fairs

On February 7, at a video conference meeting with municipalities, held by Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov, Deputy Prime Minister of the republic- Minister of Agriculture and Food Marat Akhmetov reported on the status of potato and vegetable growing in the republic and tasks set for 2015 in the sphere.Acting Tatarstan Prime Minister Aleksey Pesoshin took part in the event. 

“Potato and vegetables growing are the two major components of food market. The requirement for ware potato along with seed one is approximately 700 thousand tons while 1.3 million tons are annually produced. Our republic should grow potatoes not only for its own consumption. And it is not allowed that some districts, which traditionally produce potatoes, have reduced land under potato growing. They are Vysokogorsky, Pestrechinsky, Laishevo, Baltasy, Kukmor and Tukayevsky municipal districts” Marat Akhmetov said.  

Then, Marat Akhmetov proceeded on vegetable growing in Tatarstan.  He noted that amelioration programme is implemented in the districts, and subsidies for purchasing amelioration equipment and preserving arable land under vegetables are provided. 

According to him, agricultural fairs are highly in demand among the population, especially taking into consideration the current economic situation. In January, 2015, it was decided to renew the tradition to hold agricultural fairs in major cities of the republic. 

Summarizing the meeting, Rustam Minnikhanov said that vegetable growing is a priority sphere for Tatarstan Republic and "we will continue holding agricultural fairs and I am planning to visit them and get acquainted with the products offered and prices." He also made a proposal to strongly support agricultural enterprises that participate in the fairs.