Representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Association "People's Farmer" discussed joint work on the development of small agribusiness
Issues of state support for small agricultural producers were considered today at a meeting with the participation of First Deputy Minister Oksana Lut, regional agro-industrial complex authorities and representatives of the People's Farmer Association. Oksana Lut spoke about the work of the department for the development of farming and answered questions from the participants.
In particular, speaking about supporting the marketing of small agribusiness products, she noted that the Ministry of Agriculture is currently focused on increasing the share of deliveries to retail under direct contracts between agricultural producers and retail chains and is working on this issue together with other departments. At the same time, it is necessary to develop other trade formats, for example, creating small farm shops and cooperating with marketplaces.
Agrarians from Ulyanovsk region asked about the measures of state support for dairy producers, who faced a significant increase in the cost of the main components of the cost, primarily feed. According to the First Deputy Minister, the Ministry pays considerable attention to the dairy industry. So, livestock breeders have access to preferential short-term and investment loans, “stimulating” and “compensating” subsidies, as well as support for milk production and reimbursement of part of the capital costs. In addition, in 2021, an additional 10.6 billion rubles were allocated from the federal budget for the purchase of feed for livestock breeders. The possibility of implementing this mechanism is being studied this year as well.
During the event, the topic of supporting private farms of citizens, which account for the majority of potato and vegetable production in Russia, was raised. Oksana Lut stressed that this year, for the first time, subsidies became available to citizens who run household plots and registered as self-employed. The ministry also plans to work out the possibility of including personal subsidiary plots in the system of concessional lending.
The meeting participants positively assessed the legislative initiatives of the Ministry of Agriculture aimed at removing barriers to farming. In December last year, was adopted the law, which allowed agricultural producers to sell their products on the lands they use. In addition, from March 1, 2022, farmers will have an opportunity to build residential buildings on agricultural land.
The activities of the People's Farmer Association are aimed at promoting the development of agriculture, analyzing the problems of the agro-industrial complex, and developing appropriate solutions, and popularizing work of farmers.