Rustam Minnikhanov suggested supporting agricultural companies which participate in fairs

Today, in the Government House of the Republic of Tatarstan, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Tatarstan – the Minister of Agriculture and Food of the Republic of Tatarstan Marat Akhmetov reported on the state of Tatarstan potato farming, vegeculture and the tasks in this sector for the forthcoming year.

The videoconference with all municipal districts of the republic was held by the President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov. Acting Prime Minister of the Republic of Tatarstan Aleksey Pesoshin also took part in the event.

According to the words of Marat Akhmetov, potato farming and vegeculture in the republic are two important sectors of the foodstuff market. The need for potato is 450,000 tons in the republic, taking into consideration the need for seeds, 700,000 tons are required in total. In all kinds of farm households 1.3 million tons of potato are produced.

The republic is self sufficient in potato production, said Marat Akhmretov. He emphasized that nowadays the republic should not aim at potato production for itself only.

According to the words of the minister, the districts of the republic, traditionally growing potato, started to reduce the land for the crop, which is impossible. “Potato growing is a great diversification of business for agricultural companies”, supposes Marat Akhmetov.

He gave some examples when municipal districts twice or three times reduced the lands for potato growing. These are Vysokaya Gora, Pestretsy, Laishevo, Baltasi, Kukmor and Tukayevo municipal districts.

The districts, located close to big cities of the republic, always have the opportunity to sell potato, which is in demand, says Marat Akhmetov. After that the minister spoke on the development of vegeculture in the republic. He noted that nowadays a program on amelioration different districts; beside this subsidies were given for purchasing of ameliorative machinery, great attention to the preservation of lands for vegetable growing was paid.

Marat Akhmetov stated that agricultural fairs were traditionally in demand among city population and their popularity was growing. In 2014 agricultural products amounting to 1.5 billion rubles were sold to the population at such fairs.

In January 2015 the decision to hold agricultural fairs in big cities of the republic was taken.

The President of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov noted that vegeculture was one the main spheres of agriculture for the republic. Having great opportunities to grow potato and vegetables we must definitely use them, he said. Speaking about agricultural fairs, the work on their organization will be continued, he added. He offered to support the companies which participate in fairs. Beside this Rustam Minnikhanov stated that he himself would visit agricultural fairs, examine the range of products and the prices.