This year, the Russian agricultural sector is facing a problem of reseeding agricultural crops on an area of 500,000 hectares due to frosts. Oksana Lut, a candidate for the ministerial post in the field of agriculture, informed about this during a meeting of the State Duma.
Lut noted that currently three regions have declared a state of emergency due to frosts, which led to the loss of about 500,000 hectares of land from the agrarian market. According to her, at the moment it is necessary to replant all crops in this area.
“We already have enough seeds. We have sufficient limits provided for sowing, including replanting. We will closely monitor the situation. If, suddenly, there is a shortage, we will find ways of financing for those who need it,” emphasized Lut.
In addition to frosts, Lut pointed out that the situation is further complicated by the dry climate in the south. If rain does not start soon, she indicated that it will be possible to talk about a drought situation.
Lut also drew attention to the work of insurance companies in connection with unfavorable weather conditions. She stated that this is a topic that agricultural producers constantly complain about. She intends to monitor the actions of insurance companies in such cases, especially in emergencies, so that all reliable insurers receive the necessary compensation within ten days.
As previously reported, a state of emergency due to frosts has been declared in the Tambov, Lipetsk, and Voronezh regions. In the Volgograd region, this regime has been introduced in 32 districts.
This year, the total sowing area of agricultural crops is 84.5 million hectares, which is 300,000 hectares more than last year. Winter crops occupy 20 million hectares, according to the Ministry of Agriculture's assessment, 95% of which are in good condition.
