Russian AgMin to start subsidizing plant breeding centers in H2 2015
MOSCOW. Feb 6 (Interfax) - The Russian Agriculture Ministry will begin subsidizing the formation of plant breeding centers in the second half of the year, Agriculture Minister Nikolai Fyodorov told reporters in Moscow on Friday.
"We'll launch state support in the second half of 2015. The rules for subsidizing are currently being agreed upon, and they'll be ready within a few weeks," he said.
Projects will be selected with a month, Fyodorov said, adding that he did not think this would be a difficult process.
He added that 150 plant breeding centers are planned to be built anew or based at already existing ones.
The need to develop in this direction stems from Russia's high dependence on seed imports, mostly for potato, sunflower, corn, sugar beet and other types of vegetables. "Within two years, three maximum, we should boost our own seed production several fold. We suggest supporting these projects gradually; first compensate a portion of costs at 30% of the cost of the center during development, and then after the facility is commissioned," Fyodorov said.
Compensation for farmers' direct costs in creating plant and animal breeding complexes is one form of support being introduced this year for the agricultural sphere.
