The results of 2022 and the prospects for the development of the agro-industrial complex of the region were announced to journalists at a press conference by the Minister of Agriculture and Fishing Industry of the Astrakhan region Ruslan Pashayev.
According to the head of the department, the region annually increases the volume of grown products, and by some indicators occupies a leading position in the country. “There were concerns about sanctions, but agricultural producers coped with the difficulties perfectly. In the 2022 season, it is planned to grow 2,058 million tons of crop production. Including 1,350 million tons of vegetables, 383.2 thousand tons of potatoes and 323.5 thousand tons of melons. For all major cultivated crops, production growth is 105% compared to last year’s level. We try to provide both ourselves and the Russian Federation with products. We fully cover the needs of the region for vegetables, meat and eggs and even export them,” Ruslan Pashayev answered the question about the results of the season.
The Minister highlighted the issue of rice cultivation in the Astrakhan region. The area has been increased by 25% and today amounts to about 9 thousand hectares. It is planned to harvest 26 thousand tons of white grain, which is 103% of the level of 2021. The development of this industry in the region, in his opinion, is proceeding at an impressive pace: serious investment projects are emerging, it is planned to restore the system of rice checks. The technology is complex, requiring significant capital investments. According to Ruslan Pashayev, a significant resource of unused and inefficiently used checks is available in the Chernoyarsk district, where rice was grown during the Soviet era. Next year, agro-industrial complex “Resurs” plans to put into circulation 7 thousand hectares. In Zabuzan of the Krasnoyarsk region, 2-3 thousand hectares will be added to the turnover, and in the Volga and Kamyzyak districts, where the main areas under this crop are located today, work on restoring checks will continue. So in the future – 40 thousand tons. “Since the beginning of the 2000s, I have not had to see queues of trucks at the Astrakhan rice processing plant. Now they are appearing again,” said the head of the agricultural department.
Ruslan Pashayev also said that in relation to 2021, all directions and volumes of state support for the agro-industrial complex of the Astrakhan region have been preserved. This year, the volume of state support is 1 billion rubles, including 803.2 million rubles (80%) from subsidies from the federal budget. Governor Igor Babushkin decided to allocate an additional 390 million rubles. This money will be used to support plant breeders, livestock breeders in the field of poultry farming, the development of aquaculture and processing products. All state support is aimed at increasing the volume of agricultural production.
According to the Minister, the practice of state support for novice farmers and agricultural consumer cooperatives has proven itself well. In 2022, all areas of grant support have also been preserved, for which about 190 million rubles are provided in general. Thus, 80 million rubles were provided for the development of six family farms. Grants under the Agrostartap program in the amount of 60.7 million rubles were provided to 20 farmers, four of whom chose crop production as their direction of development, 16 – animal husbandry. Taking into account the fact that this type of support is in high demand, the 2nd stage of the competition was held. The winners were three more farms for a total amount of grant support of 10.5 million rubles. The transfer of funds is scheduled for November 2022. The competition for grants to agricultural consumer cooperatives has been completed. 28 million rubles will be allocated to them for the development of the material and technical base. In 2022, state support was also provided for the development of rural tourism – 7.0 million rubles. According to Ruslan Pashayev, this work will be continued next year, in connection with which an increase in jobs in the industry is expected and, accordingly, an increase in the volume of products produced in the region.
By the way
Currently, several large agricultural projects are under implementation in the region. A striking example is the greenhouse complex “Cedar” in the Ikryaninsky district. The enterprise has been launched, and the first harvest of tomatoes is expected in December.
A source: https://astravolga.ru
