The rules and procedure for selecting melioration projects in Russia will be changed: from 2024, subsidies will be allocated depending on the success of the previous year. This was announced by the Minister of Agriculture of the Russian Federation Dmitry Patrushev at an operational meeting dedicated to the sowing campaign.
“Speaking about the implementation of the state program “Land”, the minister noted that amendments have been prepared to the rules and procedure for selecting land reclamation projects, which provide for adjustment factors for the distribution of subsidies,” the press release says.
The amount of funds that the regions will be able to apply for will depend on the quality of work in the previous period.
“The changes will come into force this year during the selection for 2024. In this regard, the head of the Ministry of Agriculture called on the regions to speed up the work on bringing the funds and ensure the development of at least 1% by July 50, ”the ministry notes.
About 44 million hectares of agricultural land are not used in Russia, 19,4 million of which are arable land. The Government of the Russian Federation approved a ten-year state program to address the issue of the efficient use of agricultural land in May 2021. The Ministry of Agriculture plans to put into circulation 2031 million hectares of land by 13,2, including through land reclamation. As a result of land reclamation activities in 2022, according to the government, about 400 thousand hectares of land were saved or brought into circulation.
The unified information system on agricultural lands (EFIS ZSN) collects data, including information on soil composition, crop rotation, reclamation systems and hydraulic structures. According to the government, such a “showcase for investors” will be a convenient tool for novice farmers and large agricultural holdings.