The sown area in 2021 will grow by 600 thousand hectares compared to last year and will amount to 80,5 million, of which 51,5 million hectares are planned for spring sowing, Agriculture Minister Dmitry Patrushev said at a government meeting on March 11.
He recalled that 19,4 million hectares were sown with winter crops. According to the minister, about 80% of the crops are now in good and satisfactory condition.
“This is slightly lower than last year's level. Affected by the lack of rainfall last fall, but we note an improvement in the condition. A more accurate forecast can be made after the snow melts and the beginning of active vegetation, ”Patrushev said.
This year, the sowing of grain and leguminous crops, fodder crops, as well as vegetables and potatoes in the organized sector will increase. The planting of vineyards will also grow significantly. The area under sugar beet will grow by almost 15% (to 1,062 million hectares).
However, the coronavirus crisis has exacerbated the problem of staffing the industry. Last year, the Ministry of Agriculture partially resolved the issue - including by attracting Russians who were left jobless in the pandemic. This experience will be used this time too. But this will not completely solve the problem. Now the need for plant growing in attracting additional foreign labor is about 35 thousand people, Patrushev estimated.
The farmers are fully provided with seeds. The shortage of fuel and lubricants is also not expected. This year, 4,6 million tons of diesel fuel and 720 thousand tons of gasoline will be required - the same amount as last year.
“As of the current date, the rate of fuel purchases is ahead of last year, and by the start of field work, the supply will be complete. The cost of diesel fuel has slightly decreased compared to last year. At the same time, prices for 10 gasoline increased by 92%, ”explained Patrushev.
In 2020, 59 thousand units of agricultural machinery and equipment were purchased. At the end of last year, it was possible to reverse the negative trend, when agricultural machinery was retired faster than the park was renewed, the minister said. At the same time, the share of domestically produced cars increased. Thus, in 2021, farmers have 38 thousand units of basic agricultural machinery.
According to Dmitry Patrushev, in December last year, 100 billion rubles were sent to the regions to support farmers. Lending is underway for seasonal field work - at the moment the volume of loans issued amounted to almost 120 billion rubles - this corresponds to the level of last year. The mechanism of agricultural insurance with state support is being developed: last year 2,2 billion rubles were allocated for this, twice as much is provided for this - 4,4 billion rubles. This will insure about 6,5 million hectares of crops, which is 28% more than a year earlier.
“Preparation for spring field work is proceeding routinely, we process all emerging issues with each region on an individual basis, this year, under favorable weather conditions, we expect a decent harvest,” concluded Dmitry Patrushev.