Agriculture Ministry so far unable to assess condition of crops in flood-hit Far East
MOSCOW. Aug 16 (Interfax) - The Russian Agriculture Ministry has so far been unable to assess the condition of crops, hayfields and pastures located in the Far East, where devastating floods continue.
"It is extremely different to assess the condition of agricultural crops, hayfields and pastures at the moment because these areas remain cut off [by the floods]," the ministry said in a report.
Farmland in the Amur region has been submerged by flood waters, the ministry said. The water level of rivers in the Khabarovsk Territory continue to rise, and the situation in the Jewish autonomous district remains complicated.
The amount of rainfall in the Primorye Territory has already exceeded the average monthly norm by more than 75%.
"Torrential rains continue in the territory. The water-logged soil is unable to absorb any more water. Agricultural producers cannot begin to stock up on food for livestock or collect their harvest," the ministry said.
The continuing heavy rains and floods have also destroyed hectares of crops in the republic of Bashkortostan and the Chelyabinsk region.
Specialists of agricultural chemistry centers, the Russian agricultural watchdog Rosselkhoznadzor and the State Commission for Selection Achievements Testing and Protection are taking preliminary measures to analyze the damage caused by the floods to the region's agricultural sector.
