May 16, 2012

Russian farmers to face serious drought problems

The steady temperature in Russia, which has exceeded the usual annual rate by 28%, can cause serious problems for the farmers in Stavropol, said Vyacheslav Marchenko, the Minister of Agriculture of the Stavropol Territory.

Due to the fact that there is lack of moisture in soil, there is a risk of soil drought.

Marchenko, held a meeting on the situation of drought and the threat of locusts, reported the press-service of the Ministry on May, 14.

Another problem is a threat of locusts' dispersion because of really favorable conditions for their breeding.

According to the ministry as of May 12 all categories of farms held spring sowing campaign throughout ​​812.3 thousand hectares, or 101.3% of the plan, including spring grains (excluding corn) at 230.2 thousand hectares. Sowing of sugar beets has already been completed. All categories of farms planted about 34 thousand hectares of sugar beet. As of May 11, all categories of farms sowed sunflower throughout the area of ​​226.8 thousand hectares or 94.4% of the plan, corn for grain - on 112.7 thousand hectares, or 102.5%, for silage and green fodder - 23,100 hectares or 86%.

In 2011 the five largest grain producers in Russia have traditionally included the Krasnodar and Stavropol Territories, Rostov Region, the Republic of Tatarstan and the Altai Territory, which accounts for almost 40% of the total production of grains in the Russian Federation. In 2011 the Stavropol Territory harvested 7.7 million tonnes.