The problems of import substitution in the Russian seed market, the development of domestic breeding and seed production were discussed by members of the expert council under the Federation Council Committee on Agrarian and Food Policy, the official reports. website of the National Union of Breeders and Seed Growers.
The event took place via videoconference. It was attended by seed producers, heads of agricultural enterprises, representatives of public associations, industry communities, research centers and institutions.
In the current situation associated with Western sanctions pressure on our country, it is of particular relevance to provide agricultural producers with high-quality seeds of Russian selection of agricultural crops not only for the current, but also for subsequent years. The Ministry of Agriculture informs that this year domestic agricultural producers are fully provided with seeds.
“We need to make managerial decisions, make every effort to ensure 100% self-sufficiency in seeds. And this discussion is now necessary in order to hear the points of view of business representatives, industry unions and scientists. It is important to understand what needs to be done in order to obtain not only new varieties, but also to further introduce them into production. For example, science is moving in its own direction, business does not always use these breeding achievements, it buys foreign seeds. In a word, we need to discuss all the vulnerable sides and act together,” the Chairman of the Committee addressed the meeting participants Alexey Mayorov.
It was noted that, as a rule, many seed farms sell seeds without further accompanying them. But the research and production agricultural holding "Kurgansemena" is engaged not only in the search, cultivation and sale of new varieties, but also in the breeding of new varieties, the development of varietal technology, which allows to obtain high and stable yields, and is ready to share it with agricultural producers.
The general director of the agricultural holding, chairman of the Council of the National Union of Breeders and Seed Growers Marat Islamov, dwelled on the most important issue that has been worrying the community for many years - the organization of the work of the State variety testing system and the need to maintain independent testing of new varieties and hybrids, which is currently under the influence of chronic underfunding from federal budget - does not correspond to the level of the country's agricultural enterprises and does not ensure the development of the potential of domestic varieties and hybrids.
The point is that less than 1 billion rubles are allocated for the current maintenance of the system. And this is with the need - more than 3 billion, not counting equipment and small-sized equipment. According to experts, their renewal will require another 15 billion rubles. Insufficient funding has a detrimental effect on the staff of the organization, as well as decisions made to reduce the number of variety testing plots to 1 in the region. Thus, the results of the ongoing work on variety testing in relation to the diversity of climatic conditions, soil and relief diversity are called into question. This will inevitably lead to huge losses.
Members of the NSSIS proposed to recommend to the Government of the Russian Federation to consider the issue of maintaining the State Testing system, taking into account all the necessary needs for budget allocations for the current maintenance and updating of the material and technical base.
Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on Agrarian and Food Policy Belan Khamchiev noted that the work of the State variety testing really needs to be reviewed. If this is not done, a positive result will not follow.