Financing for govt program to include agricultural land in rotation could rise to 38 bln rubles in 2023 - Mishustin

MOSCOW. Nov 28 (Interfax) - Financing for the Russian government's program to include unused agricultural land in rotation, which began implementation this year, could increase to 38 billion rubles in 2023, Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin said on Monday during a meeting with deputy prime ministers.

"More than 25 billion rubles have been allocated this year for implementing the government program. The necessary government support will be provided next year as well. Over 38 billion rubles have been allocated to the budget for these purposes," Mishustin said.

Mishustin recalled that the program envisages maximum inclusion of farmland in rotation over the next eight years. "This is more than 13 million hectares. Work on land reclamation has also begun on a systemic basis. Work is underway to prevent soil degradation, to renovate hydraulic engineering installations, and to implement other measures," the prime minister said, emphasizing that for Russia to maintain a leading position on the foodstuffs market, "It is important to use all resources, primarily agricultural land."

Mishustin also noted that land returned to rotation must be available to small businesses. "Land suitable for agriculture must not be wasted. People ready to engage in agribusiness must be able to use it [land] quickly," the prime minister said. "To this end, the government has already proposed the necessary amendments to current legislation. It will be possible starting next year to obtain land plots from agricultural land for renting without participating in auctions. This is very important."