Russian agriculture sector could reach science-based norm of fertilizer use by 2024-2025 - AgMin head

MOSCOW. Oct 4 (Interfax) - Russian farmers will reach the target science-based indicator of mineral fertilizer application of 80 kg per 1 hectare by 2024-2025, Agriculture Minister Dmitry Patrushev said during government hour in the Federation Council on Tuesday.

"We are aiming for the science-based indicator of 80 kg. The Agriculture Ministry is not giving up on these plans, and I think we can achieve this by 2024-2025," Patrushev said.

The average figure was 46 kg per hectare in 2019 and could grow to 61 kh per hectare in 2022, he said.

The volume of fertilizer use is growing due to the increase in the volume of purchases: at the moment, farmers have purchased almost 300,000 tonnes more fertilizers than a year ago, Patrushev said.

Among the measures envisaged to provide the domestic market with mineral fertilizers are export quotas, price fixing, as well as a procurement plan approved jointly with the Industry and Trade Ministry and the regions. "As a result, our farmers are provided with fertilizers in necessary volume and at affordable prices," the Agriculture Minister said.