June 5, 2009
Russia to produce more grain to boost food security
Russia plans to increase its grain output by about 25 percent to 133-136 million tonnes annually in the coming years and aims to contribute to global food security, President Dmitry Medvedev said Thursday (Jun 4).
Russia is ready to support long-term foreign investment in its agriculture, he said.
Medvedev said Russia is committed to realising its enormous agricultural potential and bring grain production to a level that can ensure, along with other major agricultural producers, food security for a substantial part of the world population.
The President said Russia intends to enter Southeast Asian markets and to diversify its export mix by raising its share of processed grain products.
Russia is prepared to take extra measures to increase efficiency in agriculture and create a favourable environment for innovation, ensuring access to land and capital for efficient agricultural producers, he said.
Medvedev also said Russia welcomes the idea of establishing a global food reserves management system.
