Next year, funding for Russia's agricultural sector may be increased by 30 billion rubles. Currently, this amount is not included in the budget project, but it has already been discussed with the Ministry of Finance. Minister of Agriculture Oksana Lut announced this at a meeting of the State Duma Committee on Budget and Taxes.
"Next year, we see the possibility of additional sources of funding emerging, and we have agreed with the Ministry of Finance that they may be available. We expect approximately 30 billion rubles of additional funds that are not currently included in the budget project," Oksana Lut said.
There are also forecasts for an increase in preferential lending volumes next year. According to Oksana Lut, currently the funds for subsidizing such loans have already been spent, and new loans are issued only upon repayment of previous ones. However, if the budget project is approved with a key rate of 15.1% per annum, financing for preferential lending could become even more significant than in the current year, when the average rate was higher.
"Next year, if the rate is 15.1%, as envisaged in the budget project, we will be able to finance more—both short-term and investment loans. We expect the situation to improve, and the rate will be as planned in the budget," the Minister noted.
Financing for the agricultural sector in the budget is carried out through four state programs: agriculture development, fisheries development, efficient use of agricultural land, and the comprehensive development of rural areas. "Expectations for our four programs in the second reading are 556 billion rubles. This year, 560 billion rubles were planned," Oksana Lut reminded.
In particular, allocations of 500.1 billion rubles are provided for 2025 in the budget, 488.7 billion rubles for 2026, and 480.8 billion rubles for 2027. Separate bills provide for the distribution of additional revenues: 193.8 billion rubles in 2025, 175.5 billion rubles in 2026, and 170.8 billion rubles in 2027. Speaking about reserves for 2025, the minister noted that they amount to 82.9 billion rubles, of which 4.8 billion rubles are earmarked for new territories; for 2026 and 2027, 114 billion rubles and 130.9 billion rubles are planned, respectively.