Russian AgMin expecting production growth in all main sectors of agriculture in 2022

MOSCOW. Aug 31 (Interfax) - The Russian Agriculture Ministry expects production growth in all major areas of agriculture this year, First Deputy Agriculture Minister Oksana Lut was quoted as saying by the ministry's press service at a meeting with members of the Delovaya Rossiya civil organization.

According to Lut, the Russian agricultural complex was to a great extent prepared for the conditions of the current year. The key indices of agricultural production have shown systematic growth every year. Growth in indicators is expected in all main sectors in 2022.

"Currently, Russia produces more basic crops and foodstuffs than it consumes. This creates prerequisites for strengthening the country's influence on foreign markets," she said.

At the same time, there is a need to boost growth of production in a number of industries, Lut said. This concerns above all, vegetable growing, and melon and potato cultivation. To this end, the Agriculture Ministry will launch a separate federal project in 2023. Furthermore, the agency will continue to stimulate greenhouse vegetable cultivation, which has shown good trends in recent years thanks to state support measures.

The issue of achieving food security indicators in terms of milk and dairy products also remains key. To develop this segment, the Agriculture Ministry will focus on increasing the productivity of farm animals in the organized sector. Furthermore, the focus is on improving breeding and genetics, providing farmers with competitive domestic seeds and pedigree material.