Marat Akhmetov: There is a need of legislative restriction of trade margins on socially important types of agricultural products
On April 18, during a working visit to Ufa, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Tatarstan - Minister of Agriculture and Food of the Republic of Tatarstan Marat Akhmetov took part in a round table, organized in the framework of the Days of Tatarstan in the Republic of Bashkortostan, with the participation of Acting Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of the Republic of Belarus - Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Belarus Ilshat Fazrakhmanov, representatives of scientific institutions and major agricultural producers of both republics.
Opening the round table, Ilshat Fazrakhmanov warmly welcomed the guests and spoke about the potential of the agro-industrial complex of the Republic of Bashkortostan for the development of interregional cooperation.
The agro-industrial complex of both republics is one of the key sectors of the economy. Along with mechanical engineering and the petrochemical industry, it makes a significant contribution to the formation of an internal regional product.
Marat Akhmetov also briefed the participants of the round table on the peculiarities of agricultural production in Tatarstan, noting the established business ties and close cooperation of the republics, as well as the importance of the exchange of experience between regions with similar farming conditions. “The natural potential of Tatarstan arable land is 10-15 c / ha. Therefore, in order to increase soil fertility, we are developing two directions. The first is large-scale biologization. To solve it, a departmental program has been developed until 2024, where sideration of vapors takes a serious place. The goal is to return at least 4.5 tons / ha of dry organic matter. The second way is the application of mineral fertilizers. Maximum for the current year - 70 kg AI / ha. We practice stimulating measures, ”said Marat Akhmetov.
Discussing the main problems in the field of agriculture, the Head of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food of the Republic of Tatarstan paid special attention to the difficulties in selling the products of agricultural producers. To address this issue in the republic there is a program for the development of agricultural cooperation. “But in the same time, it is necessary to legally restrict trade margins on a number of socially important types of agricultural products. For example, margins on vegetables for bread or vegetables in large retail chains reach 100 percent or more. In such a situation, retailers receive the main profit, and not manufacturers who invest a lot of work, bear significant risks and perform an important at the state level function of producing regional gross product. In addition to climate risks in agricultural production, agrarians, to a certain extent, are not protected against price fluctuations. Therefore, for stable work and the development of agricultural production, it is necessary to legally fix state-guaranteed procurement prices for products, the so-called “minimum purchase prices,” Marat Akhmetov emphasized. The position of the Minister was supported by the Bashkir side.
During the round table, cooperation agreements were signed between the branches of the Russian Agricultural Center of the Republic of Tatarstan and the Republic of Bashkortostan, as well as a cooperation agreement between TATNIISH and BASNIISH.
At the end of the event, the parties expressed their willingness to continue to share experiences and implement joint projects of the agro-industrial complex.