Report: Russian agricultural output can rise 3–4% in 2016 –min

MOSCOW, Mar 4 (PRIME) -- Russia’s agricultural output may increase by 3–4% in 2016, Agriculture Minister Alexander Tkachyov told channel NTV in an interview broadcasted on Friday.

“If nothing extraordinary happens, Russia’s agricultural industry will deliver a 3–3.5%, maybe even a 4% growth,” Tkachyov said.

The government will spend 14 billion rubles on the support of farmers in 2016, he said.

According to Tkachyov, Russia is facing difficulties when trying to set foot on foreign markets. “We are late, I mean, we are catching up. This is a difficult process, nobody is waiting for us, I assure you.”

Russian farmers depend on imported seeds by 70–90% which is another big obstacle for development. Authorities have created a program to develop local seed production, Tkachyov said.

(73.8242 rubles – U.S. $1)

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