Regional features and spring vagaries of nature are the main reasons that in 2017 the provision of Russia with potatoes of their own production amounted to 90,7% instead of the necessary 95%, said the academician of the RAS and RAAS Elmira Winged.
“There is nothing tragic or critical in this situation,” she said. - Our capabilities are quite enough for the production of potatoes in the volume necessary for the population. It would be very incomprehensible if a country that has such opportunities would turn into a major importer of potatoes. "
However, she emphasized that one should take into account not only the harvest of this product, but also how it gets on the table to the consumer. Attention is required to technological and organizational aspects, due to which there are frequent losses of potatoes during storage. According to Krylatykh, in Russia there is a lack of bases and non-compliance with the storage conditions of potatoes, and in addition, there are many farms that do not have their own reliable stores. At the same time, the academician clarified that what is needed is an organized storage system, and not individual items.
“The Russian Federation can undoubtedly provide itself with potatoes at the level necessary for both domestic consumption and export to other countries,” she said. - Our country has and, of course, can increase the volume of export opportunities for potatoes. If done wisely and correctly, then potatoes can really become a promising industry. "
Recall that the Accounts Chamber of the Russian Federation, having studied the effectiveness of measures aimed at import substitution of fruit and vegetable products, came to the conclusion that in 2017 Russia's self-sufficiency in potatoes amounted to 90,7%. Moreover, over the past 10 years, sown area for potatoes in households of the Russian Federation decreased by 1,7 times. The Food Security Doctrine of Russia provides for a threshold value of potato self-sufficiency of at least 95%.
Details: REGNUM.