Rustam Minnikhanov: Agriculture is a key industry of Tatarstan economy

On October 8, at the Korston Entertainment Complex, speaking at a solemn ceremony dedicated to Agriculture and Processing Industry Workers' Day, Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov said that agriculture is a key sector of the economy of Tatarstan, forming over 10 per cent of gross regional product.

Tatarstan State Counsellor Mintimer Shaimiev, Tatarstan Prime Minister Aleksey Pesoshin, Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Republic of Crimea Yuri Gotsanyuk, former Head of Tatarstan Ministry of Agriculture and Food Marat Akhmetov, Mayor of Kazan Ilsur Metshin and other officials took part in the event.

Welcoming the participants of the event, Minnikhanov emphasized that Tatarstan is among the leaders among the country's entities in gross agricultural product and ranks first in the Volga Federal District. Despite the difficult weather conditions, as many as 4.4 million tonnes of grain, 2.5 million tonnes of sugar beets will be harvested this year and 527,000 tonnes of meat will be produced. “The republic ranks the leading position in milk production in Russia for several years. About 1.9 million tonnes of milk will be produced this year,” Tatarstan President said.

Minnikhanov noted that active work on the development of small forms of farming is underway in the republic. About 450,000 private subsidiary farms, over 4,600 farms and over 1,200 family farms are successfully operating. 

Tatarstan President emphasized that the agro-industrial complex of the republic is a dynamically developing sector of the economy actively attracting investments. Construction and modernization of dozens of livestock facilities, grain flows and elevators, greenhouse complexes is underway in Tatarstan. During the current year alone, the volume of investments in these projects will be about 15 billion roubles. Minnikhanov thanked Tatneft Oil Company for providing the villagers with fuel at a reduced price.

Tatarstan President thanked the veterans of the industry for their special contribution to the development of agriculture in Tatarstan and emphasized the regions of the republic that are actively involved in holding weekly agricultural fairs in the cities of Tatarstan.

Minnikhanov handed over state awards of Russia and Tatarstan to the most distinguished representatives of the area.