“I would like to say that 170 billion roubles will be allocated from the federal budget to support the agro-industrial complex in 2012. A portion of this amount – 136 billion – will be used to carry out the state programme for promoting agriculture in Russia. Our goal is to use these funds with maximum effectiveness, have our agricultural producers strengthen their positions and make the agricultural industry one of Russia’s leading economic drivers.”
“According to expert estimates, winter crops are in normal condition. This is a good foundation for the future harvest. Now we should effectively conduct the spring sowing campaign and prepare properly for harvesting grain.”
“As before, agricultural producers will buy fuel at reduced prices. This support measure has a very good track record. Of course, it benefits greatly our agricultural producers. <…> We agreed that wholesale fuel and lubricants prices established in each particular region on December 31, 2011, will be discounted by another 30 percent.”
“On the whole, the agriculture support programme will continue. Now, as you know, we are developing a state programme of agricultural development, and it will provide for financial issues, agricultural equipment development issues, agricultural equipment leasing issues and issues of social development of rural areas.”
“In recent years the situation in agriculture has radically changed. <…> This country (I mean the Soviet Union) had always been a net importer of wheat and cereals, and now we have become the world's third largest exporter following the United States and Canada; our country has definitively gained the third position in the world.”
“In order for us to be able to use these opportunities to the fullest, we should adopt the best practices used by the WTO old-timers, learn to use all forms of support, both direct and indirect, provided to agrarian producers. <…>Our goal is to use them wisely in our development strategy and make them work toward the further promotion of our agro-industrial sector.”
“Last year grain harvest amounted to almost 94 million tonnes, which allowed us to replenish our reserves and not only to fully meet our domestic demand but also to export about 27-28 million tonnes. This is a good figure and we once again rank third place among the world’s top grain exporters. You’ve done an excellent job and we will continue supporting all those who work on land – there is no doubt about that.”
“We protect the agrarian business against abuses by monopoly operators, including infrastructure monopolies. <…> Retail and wholesale agricultural markets will continue to be overseen by the state. Our goal is to facilitate the sale of produce by farmers without the involvement of any middleman.”
“Agriculture has proven to be one of the most lucrative industries in the national economy. <…> The development of our agro-industrial sector has become an objective factor in ensuring the sustainable development of our economy as a whole, and improving the living standards of millions of people.”
“After the drought of the past year and a serious decline in agriculture, we have not only restored the performance of the agro-industrial complex but have even improved the figures from the pre-drought year of 2009. Our tentative estimate is that the industry has grown by 17.8% in 2011 but some experts believe that the final average for this industry will be about 20% when all additional figures are considered. The grain harvest is 93 mln tonnes after processing. And the export grain potential has been restored in full.”