Ildar Khalikov takes part in a meeting of All-Russian Council of Agricultural Workers in Mari-El

On July 26, in Shelanger village, Republic of Mari El, a meeting of the All-Russian Council of Agricultural Workers took place. Having gathered representatives of 52 regions of Russia, the meeting discussed the social and economic development of rural areas as a guarantee of food security and independence of the country.

Tatarstan Prime Minister Ildar Khalikov, who headed the delegation from Tatarstan, noted that it was not accidental that the meeting took place at Zvenigovsky agricultural production cooperative as its products are well known both in Russia and in Tatarstan.

"Tatarstan continues to be in the lead in the agricultural complex of the country," Khalikov said.

"In the dry 2015, a good harvest of grain, potatoes and sugar beet was gathered. Enough fodder was prepared for Russia’s largest cattle stock, the number of which amounted to over one million cattle animals in the republic," he said.

Tatarstan produces four per cent of all the country's agricultural production and six per cent of milk and is one of the few regions capable not only to fully meet its own needs for bread, milk, meat, eggs, sugar and potatoes, but also successfully promote its products on the Russian and foreign markets.

He added that particular attention is paid to the development of individual farms in the republic. "They produce over a third of republic livestock and half of agricultural products," Khalikov said.

He also told about measures to support rural young professionals, including additional scholarships during their studies, surcharges, and, most importantly, the priority in obtaining housing subsidies.

"Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov set a task to achieve at least five per cent growth in agricultural production and the greatest possible added value," Khalikov said.