Tatarstan Minister of Agriculture Marat Akhmetov: Preparatory work for sowing campaign is on schedule, but field works are likely to start in the first decade of April

On March 11, speaking at a video conference held by Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov at the Government House of the republic, Minister of Agriculture and Food of the republic Marat Akhmetov reported on preparation for sowing campaign.

The Minister said that preparatory works are on schedule, but field works are likely to start in the first decade of April, and it is necessary to be ready for that.

About 2 million hectares are to be sown during the spring sowing only. Moreover, about 1 million hectares of winter crops and perennial grasses need to be fertilized and harrowed, Akhmetov added.

As for the financing of the sowing campaign, Akhmetov said that more than 20 billion roubles or more than 6,000 roubles per hectare are needed to carry out spring field works.

In particular, 7.5 billion roubles are required for mineral fertilizers, 1.3 billion roubles for seeds, 2.6 billion roubles – fuel (70,000 tonnes), 1.6 billion roubles – spare parts, 1.6 billion rubles for salaries during the sowing campaign and about 3 billion roubles for other expenses.

In general, before first proceeds from agriculture in mid-August, more than 26 billion roubles of working assets are needed, the Minister stressed. According to him, 4 billion roubles will be allocated from the regional budget, another 10 billion rubles should be attracted as short-term loans through banks.

Akhmetov reminded that Minnikhanov made a decision to allocate 1 billion roubles in addition for purchasing fertilizers.