Minister of Agriculture of the republic reports on the preparation of regional agricultural machinery for the sowing campaign

On February 23, at the Government House of the republic, speaking at a videoconference held by Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov with participation of Acting Prime Minister of the republic Rustam Nigmatullin, Minister of Agriculture of Tatarstan Marat Akhmetov reported on labour protection at agro-industrial enterprises and supervision of technical condition and safe operation of agricultural machinery.

The Minister said that due to measures taken recently, Tatarstan has a positive trend in reducing industrial injuries in the agricultural sector. However, fatal accidents still occur. In 2018, two accidents were registered, he said. 

In total, 53 occupational diseases were registered in the agricultural sector of the republic last year, 20 of them accounted for machine milking operators.

Akhmetov continued that costs of agricultural enterprises for labour protection measures amounted to 358 million roubles in 2018. On average, one employee accounts for up to 5,000 rubles. Akhmetov reminded that enterprises can return 20 per cent of these costs from the Social Insurance Fund.

The Minister also reported that 11,000 tractors are available for the upcoming sowing campaign, but this makes only 60 per cent of the required quantity. At the same time, local farmers have about 13,000 tractors, as well as more than 500 grain harvesters and about 100 forage harvesters.

“Equipment of farmers is a large reserve. We should involve them in field work more actively. It will be an extra income for them. Renting equipment is a good practice. This is better than buying and maintaining machinery,” Minnikhanov emphasized.