Ildus Gabdrakhmanov, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food of the Republic of Tatarstan, discussed land reclamation issues with agricultural producers.
Mars Khismatullin, director of the Tatmeliovodkhoz Administration, spoke about the development of irrigation in Tatarstan over the past 10 years, starting with the abnormally dry 2010. During this time, 32,6 thousand hectares of irrigated land in 213 farms were built and reconstructed, 196,6 km of trunk pipelines were laid, technical re-equipment of land reclamation facilities was carried out on 13 064 hectares of area, 414 units of irrigation equipment, 95 drip irrigation systems were drilled, more than 300 water wells, 95 water towers installed. Thanks to the large-scale work carried out, the yield on irrigated lands has increased by 3-4 times, and the republic is guaranteed to be provided with vegetables and potatoes in any weather.
“When watering, the cost of production is 2 or more times lower than when it is dry. In the structure of the prime cost, watering takes up no more than 10% of the costs for the cultivation of potatoes and 20-25% for the cultivation of vegetables. 1 ruble of direct costs for irrigation provides additional products worth more than 12 rubles, ”noted Mars Khismatullin.
For 2020, it is planned to develop irrigated land on 2,15 thousand hectares. For this, 90% of the costs are subsidized for drilling water wells and water towers, and 33 million rubles have been allocated. For the purchase of irrigation equipment and pumping and power equipment, subsidies will amount to 70% (100 million rubles), as well as for the construction, reconstruction of irrigated and drained lands - 70% and 171 million rubles. The ministry emphasized that the subsidy for drilling wells from this year can be obtained only after the completion of work. In conclusion of the event, Ildus Gabdrakhmanov drew attention to the fact that the Ministry of Agriculture and Food of the Republic of Tatarstan created a special commission to consider applications from farmers wishing to take part in land reclamation programs. The applications and design estimates themselves must be submitted by April 1 of this year. It is on the basis of these materials that agricultural producers will be included in the financing program for 2020.