Medvedev: farm sector program to refocus on beef cattle, greenhouse output
MOSCOW. Sept 10 (Interfax) - Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has issued instructions to rework the agricultural sector development program and give priority to development of the beef cattle industry and greenhouse cultivation.
"I have given the instruction to rework the program for development of the agricultural complex in the period to 2020 and to identify these areas as priorities," Medvedev said at a meeting in Moscow on Wednesday with legislative candidates from the United Russia party and party heads from the Russian regions that will hold local elections on September 14.
The reworking of the program is in part a response to Western sanctions against Russia. "We did not start this, but this is our chance to modernize our agricultural production," Medvedev said.
Advancement of the beef cattle industry and greenhouse cultivation is vital, especially given that these areas have been underfinanced.
In all likelihood, the program changes will be enacted this year, Medvedev said.
Making the beef and greenhouse sectors priorities "definitely" means financing will be maintained and will likely mean increased financing, to subsidize loan interest rates for associated projects.
