"Kalmykia celebrates a successful harvest season and plans further measures to support agriculture."

In the Yashaltinsky district on August 20, a festive republican meeting was held, during which the results of the harvesting of grain crops were summed up, and future plans for sowing winter crops were discussed.

More than 728 thousand tons of grain harvested this year in Kalmykia

This year, the harvesting area in Kalmykia amounted to almost 300 thousand hectares. 728.6 thousand tons of grain and leguminous crops were collected, with an average yield of 23 centners per hectare. This indicator exceeded the region's average annual values by 10%. The best results were achieved in the Yashaltinsky, Gorodovikovsky, and Sarpinsky districts. Farmers in these areas used 5% more fertilizers this season, which likely had a positive impact on the results.

"We have achieved good results. I want to thank everyone who contributed to our achievements. However, let us be honest and objective: there is always room for improvement, and we can achieve more," said the Head of Kalmykia Batu Hasikov, emphasizing that the goal of the extended field meeting is to find effective solutions to agricultural problems and issues.

Together we can solve any problems

Meeting participants, including ministers, department heads, and representatives of farms from eight districts and Elista, discussed the current situation and monitoring of grain crops in the region, preparing seed material and irrigation system for the 2025 season, as well as scientific support for agricultural work. The pressing issue of overloading pastures and their irrational use was also addressed.

The Minister of Agriculture of Kalmykia, Timur Gavaev, reported that our farmers are converting pastures into arable land without declaring this process. According to the regional Ministry of Agriculture, last year, more than 30 thousand hectares of pastures in the region were converted into arable land, but the structure of cultivated areas remained the same. This is a sign of shadow business practices, experts note.

In this regard, the head of the republic instructed to address this issue. Special commissions will be created, including representatives of municipalities and executive authorities. "This activity can be conducted transparently, bringing profit and taking into account all possible measures of state support. However, everything must be fair. Our land feeds us, and it belongs to the people. The republic and each district should benefit from this wealth," emphasized Hasikov, urging farmers in the region to be responsible.

Regarding the fight against locusts, the survey of over 880 thousand hectares showed an increase in locust-infested areas by 52 thousand hectares, which is twice as much as last year. State authorities assure that all areas were treated, including pastures. Drones are used for processing for the first time in the republic.

About support measures and more

As reported at the meeting, all state support programs in crop production have reached the recipients. Some innovations have been introduced. For example, this year subsidies for agrotechnical work were received only by those farmers who used fertilizers in their fields. Also, support measures were initially presented in electronic format to prevent corruption risks and for the convenience of farmers.

"We must support our farmers. This support must be substantial so we can develop effectively while taking care of our land," said B. Hasikov.