July 15, 2009

Drought has destroyed almost 7 percent of grain crops in several Russian grain-growing regions, Russian news agency RIA Novosti reports Tuesday (July 14), citing the agriculture ministry.

 

The worst-hit areas are the Orenburg Region in the Urals, where 1.12 million hectares have been affected, the Samara Region in the Volga area, the Saratov Region in south Russia, the ministry said.

 

In total, 3.2 million hectares affected, the ministry said.

 

The drought is threatening Russia's annual grain harvest, which is expected to reach 85 million tonnes this year, the ministry said.

 

The ministry also announced the introduction of emergency measures.