Rustam Minnikhanov: We expect grain yield in amount of 3.5-3.8 million tonnes

On July 29, during his working trip to Nizhnekamsk municipal region Interim President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov got acquainted with the grain harvesting campaign. At one of fields of the Neftehimagroprom agricultural enterprise near the village of Verhnaya Uratma, Minnikhanov met heads of farms, investors and heads of rural settlements of Nizhnekamsk region.

Earlier, Minnikhanov accompanied by Tatarstan Minister of Agriculture and Food Marat Akhmetov, Head of Nizhnekamsk municipal region Aydar Metshin inspected fields where the harvesting is underway from a helicopter.

The regional head told Minnikhanov on the status of agro-industrial complex of Nizhnekamsk region. The total area of farmland is currently more than 84 thousand hectares, including over 23 thousand hectares allocated for grain wedge (5,4 thousand hectares for winter crops). This year, due to an investor, Agrosila company, the region resumed sugar beet cultivation, with 3.6 thousand hectares planted with this crop.

According to Metshin, harvesting of grain will be completed by August 25.

Akhmetov noted growth potential of the agro-industrial complex of Nizhnekamsk region. According to him, production volume of agriculture may grow in 1.5 times due to increase in area of sugar beet this year. Akhmetov continued that investors have the opportunity to increase crops of sugar beet in Nizhnekamsk region for another three thousand hectares.

In his turn Minnikhanov called increase of cattle number, which was reduced by 900 heads because of problems encountered by Khimki-Agro company this year one of the main task for the region.

Later on the same day, Rustam Minnikhanov participated in a business dinner with farm machinery operators during which he talked with them and answered questions of rural workers.

Within the framework of his working visit to Nizhnekamsk region, Minnikhanov also took part in the opening of a new multi-purpose center in the village of Verhnaya Uratma. This settlement with a population of 957 people is located 50 km far from Nizhnekamsk and is a part of Makarov rural settlement. The multi-purpose center has been built under the regional program “Rural Clubs” using funds of the Tatarstan budget. The construction of the facility has started in February this year, its estimated cost is more than 11 million rubles. The area of the center is 419 meters, the club is designed for 200 seats. It also houses a library, organization of singing, dance, music, visual arts and other courses are planned to be organized.

Talking about harvesting forecasts in Tatarstan in his interview to reporters, Minnikhanov said: "We expect grain yield in the amount of 3.5-3.8 million tonnes this year. We have enough feed, corn and sugar beet harvest has to be very good. Everything depends on our efforts and weather conditions. "