Marat Akhmetov: there is a lack of ambitious people in Tatarstan villages

An Association symposium of the council of municipal formations of the Republic of Tatarstan was held today, where Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Tatarstan – Minister of Agriculture and Food of the Republic of Tatarstan Marat Akhmetov spoke about the necessity to look for ambitious people in villages, who are ready to develop cooperative societies, develop farms and private farm households.

“Heads at the local level should be active. The more active people are, the better it is. Findambitious people. Money is not of the 1st priority. We need people who are able to work. We can give them the real state support”, - he emphasized.

There are lots of spheres where Tatarstan villagers have an opportunity to receive financial support from the state and the republic, such as development of private farm households, peasant farm enterprises, mini-farms and large farms, organization of a purchasing system and distribution of products.

“About 2 billion rubles are allocated a year to support rural businessmen, even small-size enterprises. Tens of billions of rubles are allocated to develop the social infrastructure”, - reported Minister of Agriculture and Food of the Republic of Tatarstan.

In 2018 the subsidies in the most popular spheres will be increased, announced Akhmetov.

It is worth mentioning that the number of both private farm households and peasant farm enterprises is increasing in Tatarstan year by year. Their share of the gross product is also getting bigger. Following this year records Tatarstan AIC has manufactured agricultural products amounted to 260 billion rubles, where 53 % had been produced by small-size enterprises.

Tatarstan is ready to allocate up to 300,000 rubles for provision of the necessary facilities on the farms with over 10 cows. Those who are ready to develop cooperative societies have a chance to receive a grant of 40-50 million rubles. There is a need for ambitious people only. However, there is a lack of such people. Reduction of work places in villages is the reason why people abandon the rural area. First of all the youth goes away. “Within the latest 20 years the rural population has reduced by almost 100,000 people”, - stated the President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov.

The President expressed confidence that the potential to preserve and develop villages reveals in development of small-size enterprises. The region will allocate a lot of funds for that.

“We should continue searching for new kinds of support. Minister of Economy should define the quota in this segment and work in close cooperation with municipal heads. At the same time, the heads should do the best to receive support. It is necessary to make rural life popular and attractive”, - emphasized the President.

Minister of Agriculture and Food noted that beside agriculture and cattle breeding there are other spheres of activity in villages, too. However, people cannot do without support: “My colleagues in the Government in the spheres of industry, construction, tourism, forestry also could be beneficial”, - noted Akhmetov.