Minister of Agriculture of the republic: The sowing campaign is finished, but work to grow crops, which is no less important, is underway in the fields

On June 1, speaking at a video-conference held by Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov with participation of all municipal regions of the republic and Tatarstan Prime Minister Aleksey Pesoshin, Minister of Agriculture and Food of the republic Marat Akhmetov said that despite the fact that the sowing campaign is finished, work to grow crops is underway in the fields.

"By growing crops we mean the complex work, including protection and feeding. The complex approach allows us to solve a whole range of problems associated with weeds, diseases and pests in one run while feeding the plants with necessary elements," the Minister said in his report.

According to him, the first stage of work to protect winter crops has been completed. Now it is time for early spring crops, he said. However, weather conditions make it difficult. "It is impossible to work during the day because of constant strong winds, and at night at low temperatures the effectiveness of many agents decreases. But the weather is beyond our control and we have to wait for better weather,” Akhmetov continued.

He also assumed that the prices for grain and industrial crops will be restored, which is already noticeable. Firstly, grain is actively exported. "Secondly, as compared to last year, the country has not sown more than 4 million hectares of crop area by the end of May. Even if the areas are sown, which is unlikely, the harvesting will be postponed until autumn with corresponding consequences," the Minister said.

Speaking about fodder conservation, Akhmetov said that Nurlat and Aksubayevo regions have already started procuring fodder from the first grass cut.