March 20, 2008

Russia aims to double grain production by 2020

Russia projects its gross grain harvest to grow by 47 to 53 percent to 120 million-125 million tonnes by 2020, the Economic Development and Trade Ministry said in a draft plan.

To realize the plan, Russia needs to expand the planted area and the average crop yield to 2.6-2.8 tonnes per hectare from 1.89 tonnes per hectare.

The potential level of grain production on the basis of intensive technologies and high agronomical crops will enable the country to become one of the leading exporters on the global grain market, the ministry said.

Russia harvested 81.8 million tonnes in 2007 against 78.6 million tonnes in 2006. The agriculture ministry expects the grain harvest to exceed 85 million tonnes this year.