May 16, 2008

Russia's spring planting at faster pace this year, aims for increased production

Russia's spring planting was 43 percent faster than it was on the same date last year, with spring grains planted on 7.235 million hectares by May 1, according to the Agriculture Ministry Friday (May 16, 2008 ).

The area is about one third of the total area to be planted. 

This area excludes corn, which was planted to date on 471,000 hectares, 16 percent more than year-earlier date.

Spring wheat to date was planted on 1.64 million hectares, 2.3 times the area planted on the same date last year.

Agriculture Minister Alexey Gordeyev said earlier Russia planned to harvest this year 85 million tons of grain, 3 million tonnes more than in 2007.

To increase grain production, about 300,000 hectares of land would be reclaimed for grain planting this year, he said.