Tatarstan Minister of Agriculture: Grain farmers have harvested more than 4.2 million tonnes of grain

On September 9, speaking at a regional video-conference with participation of all municipalities of the republic held by Tatarstan President Rustam Minnikhanov, Minister of Agriculture of the republic Marat Akhmetov reported that 78 per cent of grain crops have been harvested in Tatarstan, with 1.2 million hectares of the area threshed.

Akhmetov said that about 340,000 hectares of grain crops and 45,000 hectares of rapeseed are left to be harvested. Moreover, a total of 210,000 hectares of maize and sunflower will be picked at the end of September and in October.

To date, gross harvest of grain crops has made over 4.2 million tonnes, with an average yield of 34.7 centner per heactare, which is 22 per cent more than in 2016. However, rainy weather does not allow working with high productivity, the Minister said. 

"Many regions and farms of the republic have managed to take advantage of favorable weather in August, using all forms of organization of high-performance work. Due to this, Zainsk, Sarmanovo, Nurlaty, Chistopol and Saby regions have demonstrated good results," Head of the regional Ministry of Agriculture said.

As for winter crops, it was reported at the meeting that 450,000 hectares or 82 per cent of the forecast have been sown. It was added that preparation of soil for winter is underway. 

Minnikhanov noted that weather conditions are getting worse, therefore it is necessary to gather together all resources and attract additional forces from outside to complete the harvesting campaign in the shortest possible time. We cannot wait for good weather, he stressed and reminded that because of heavy rains in 1978 some of the areas in Tatarstan remained unharvested. "Therefore, waiting does not give anything. The situation will get worse. It is necessary to use every opportunity, to work in the most organized way," Tatarstan President addressed heads of the regions.