Prime Minister Vladimir Putin visited Rostov-on-Don, where he significantly expanded the ranks of the Russian Popular Front. At the Fifth Congress of the Russian Agrarian Movement (RAM) its Chairman and First deputy Prime Minister, Viktor Zubkov, announced that his organization had joined the Front.
"I hope RAM, in uniting 38 million rural people will use its power to unite our society," Zubkov said with pride.
To encourage the Front's new members, Putin said at the RAM congress that next year the government will spend 130 billion roubles to support the agro-industrial sector.
"Many have called agriculture a black hole, unfit for investment. I have always considered such a view a mistake," Putin said reassuringly.
He reminded at the agrarian congress that next year Russia is planning to export 15 million tons of grain whereas it was buying grain abroad just a few years ago. Apparently, our neighbours are not happy about this change because they have become used to making money themselves in the vast Russian market.
"At the same time, Western food manufacturers have over the years developed a habit of treating the Russian food market as their own backyard, where they feel free to do whatever they want. Let me give you a recent example with vegetables," Putin said recalling the cucumber scandal with the European Union (EU).
During his visit to the state collective farm "Zavety Ilyicha" a little earlier, Putin explained to its members why foreign cucumbers were not good. What spoils them is not the intestinal germ but the antibiotics that European producers fill their vegetables with. The Russian government imposed an import ban to protect consumers against the harmful effects.
Putin also discussed Russia's forthcoming accession to the WTO with farmers.
"We have experienced negotiators who will secure good terms for us. We have achieved everything we insisted on except livestock breeding."
Putin said Russia will not accept terms that might harm its agriculture even for the sake of joining the global trade club.
"Rest assured, we will work at it, and we will not make unjustified concessions... After all, we are doing it for you, for our consumers."
Before combine operators had a chance to complain about their salaries, Sergei Pankratov, the farm's chairman promised to increase their salaries to an average of 11,500 roubles. Pankratov said their state collective farm is famous not only for its crops but also for its dairy products. Under the national project on the agro-industrial sector, the cooperative received 226 Holstein-Friesian cows. Their milk has brought a profit of 1.5 million roubles. Putin said the federal budget has allocated five billion roubles to maintain the cattle population.
Towards the end of the meeting there was a pleasant surprise. Pankratov mentioned an industrious young combine operator who is going to marry the farm's accountant in September. The only problem is that the young couple does not have a home. They cannot afford the nearby cottages.
"Let's give him a wedding present, the three of us – you, the governor and me!" Putin suggested to Pankratov. The proposal was accepted and the combine operator was advised to invite the prime minister to his wedding.
Anastasia Novikova and Alexander Zazykin