Rustam Minnikhanov: A decent harvest is the result of the professionalism and hard work of our farmers, for which we are very grateful.
Today, a gala event dedicated to Agricultural and Processing Industry Workers' Day was held at the Kazan Expo International Exhibition Center. The ceremony was attended by Tatarstan Head of State Rustam Minnikhanov, Tatarstan Prime Minister Alexey Pesoshin, Tatarstan Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture and Food Marat Zyabbarov, and industry leaders and veterans.
Today, Tatarstan Head of State Rustam Minnikhanov congratulated Tatarstan residents employed in the agro-industrial complex, as well as everyone involved in agriculture, on Agricultural and Processing Industry Workers' Day.
The Rais of Tatarstan greeted veterans who have dedicated decades to their difficult but beloved work and congratulated rural workers and employees of Tatarstan's agro-industrial complex on their professional holiday.
He noted that this year, the republic's fields produced a decent harvest – 4.5 million tons of grain after processing (including grain corn). A gross harvest of 2.3 million tons of sugar beets, over 1.1 million tons of potatoes and vegetables are planned, and sufficient feed has been prepared for a productive winter for livestock.
"This is the result of the professionalism and hard work of our farmers, for which we thank them very much," Rustam Minnikhanov addressed the event participants.
The largest grain harvests were collected in the Buinsky, Tetyushsky, and Arsky districts. Agricultural enterprises Tsilna (Drozhzhanovsky District), Tukaevsky (Atninsky District), and Vakhitovo (Kukmorsky District) demonstrated impressive results, as did leading agricultural holdings Chistopolye, Prodprogramma, and Avgust-Agro.
Rustam Minnikhanov invited the audience to applaud the leading combine operators. They were Vladislav Garnyshev from the Menzelinsky District; Alexey Pavlov from the Drozhzhanovsky District; and Marat Alimov from the Buinsky District. Also present in the hall were Ruzil Zakiev from the Aktanyshsky District, winner of the All-Russian "Best in Profession" competition in the Agronomist category, and Rail Shakirzyanov from the Arsky District, winner in the Vegetable Grower category.
The Rais of Tatarstan expressed special gratitude to the livestock breeders who maintain the republic's leadership in milk production.
The main contributors to these results are the traditional leaders: the Kukmorsky District, which has achieved a daily milk yield of 500 tons, and the Atninsky, Baltasinsky, and Sabinsky Districts, which produce over 400 tons daily.
He singled out the Menzelinsky District, which has seen the largest increase in cattle numbers and meat production, and the Tukaevsky District, the center of industrial pig and poultry farming in the republic. Among the top performers—professionals in their field—were milkmaids with high milk yields: Maria Petrova from the Kukmorsky District and Tansylu Mukhametdinova from the Aktanyshsky District. In beef cattle breeding, the best were Ekaterina Lylova from the Rybno-Slobodsky District and Niyaz Khakimullin from the Atninsky District. In pig fattening, Ildar Yunusov from the Buinsky District and Denis Lisin from the Agryzsky District.
In poultry farming, the best are Olga Chashina and Anisa Davletshina from the Laishevsky District.
Special mention was given to Ramil Valiulina, winner of the All-Russian Competition of Animal Husbandry Specialists, and Ruzilya Latypova, winner of the All-Russian Competition of Machine Milking Operators.
It is impossible to list the names of all our leading workers – we express our sincere gratitude to all of you for your work, emphasized Rustam Minnikhanov.
"This year we celebrated a significant date – the 80th anniversary of Victory Day. During the Great Patriotic War, rural residents selflessly provided food to the front and home front, and raw materials to industry, under the most difficult conditions," Rustam Minnikhanov continued. "I would like to express my sincere gratitude to our home front workers for their invaluable contribution to the common Victory. Today, the republic's farmers continue these glorious traditions – ensuring food security for our country, fighting on the battlefield, and bringing Victory closer." In Tatarstan and throughout Russia, this year has been declared the Year of Defender of the Fatherland. I would like to point out that veterans of the Air Defense Forces who have returned to their homelands continue to work diligently for the benefit of our country and republic. Such Heroes are present in this hall today. I ask you to applaud our defenders of the Fatherland."
Thanks to the daily work of farmers, Tatarstan is fully self-sufficient in basic foodstuffs. In terms of production volume, Tatarstan ranks first in the Volga Federal District and among the top three in Russia. Given these achievements, our goal is to expand into foreign markets. It is gratifying that the export volume of agricultural products produced in the republic is growing annually, said the Rais of Tatarstan.
We continue to support farms, he recalled, and there are examples of entire dynasties of farmers. Today in this hall is a large family of farmers from the Agryz district – Ansariya Sakhipova and her sons Damir and Ilnur, who cultivate 1,500 hectares of land and raise over 700 heads of cattle.
Also in the hall is Anastasia Aleksandrova from the Pestrechinsky district, winner of the All-Russian competition "Agricultural Entrepreneurship – Vector of the Future."
The future of our villages lies with such people, Rustam Minnikhanov believes, and it is important that there be more such examples. A key focus is the development of private farms. Today, this is a source of income for tens of thousands of families and a mainstay of villages and towns.
In Tatarstan, significant work is being done to improve the quality of life in rural areas. Primary health care is being modernized; cultural centers and sports grounds are being built; water supplies, lighting, and much more are being improved.
"We are grateful to Russian President Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, the Russian Government, and the Ministry of Agriculture for their special attention to this issue. Supporting rural areas has always been our top priority, and we will continue to work in this direction," emphasized Rustam Minnikhanov.
He reiterated that one of the key tasks in agriculture is training qualified personnel and developing scientific potential. To attract personnel to rural areas, the one-time payment to young specialists was increased this year to 750,000 rubles. Agricultural enterprises themselves must also work to attract and retain personnel. It is important that young specialists know that they will have guaranteed employment and support after graduation.
"Once again, I congratulate the workers of the agricultural sector on this holiday! I would like to sincerely thank you for your hard work and contribution to the development of Tatarstan, and wish you good health, prosperity, and new achievements," concluded the Rais of Tatarstan.
A ceremony was held to award rural workers with state awards of the Russian Federation and the Republic of Tatarstan.
The Order "For Merit to the Republic of Tatarstan" was awarded to Yuri Vasilyevich Yerov, General Director of the Elite Seeds of Tatarstan Association for the Production of Grain Crops.
The Order of "Duslyk" was awarded to Rauf Gimadetdinovich Gilyazetdinov, Director of Korsinsky MTS LLC in the Arsky Municipal District.
The honorary title "Honored Worker of the Food Industry of the Russian Federation" was awarded to Maksut Makhmutovich Akhmetshin, Director of the Mamadysh Plant branch of Azbuka Syra LLC.
The honorary title "Honored Worker of Agriculture of the Russian Federation" was awarded to Aleksandr Borisovich Gundorov, tractor driver and machine operator at the agricultural production facility of Avgust-Kamskoye Ustye LLC in the Kamsko-Ustyinsky Municipal District. Fargat Talvertovich Kamaliev, Head of the Department of Agriculture and Food of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food of the Republic of Tatarstan in the Zainsky Municipal District; Yuri Anatolyevich Semushkin, Head of the Yuri Anatolyevich Semushkin Peasant Farm in the Spassky Municipal District; and Damir Aminovich Yalilov, Director of Nigez LLC in the Aktanyshsky Municipal District.
In total, more than 30 state awards were presented.
Marat Zyabbarov stated that despite the challenging conditions of the current year, Tatarstan's farmers demonstrated the highest professionalism, ensuring the smooth operation of the industry, maintaining its sustainable development, and achieving a significant increase in production volumes in all key areas.
According to him, the energy of the younger generation and a new perspective on traditional processes inspire them to move forward, master innovative technologies, and reach new heights. "Together, we can create even greater successes and achievements," the minister said.