Russian Plantings Will Hold at 53 MHa

KIEV - Mar 5/03 - APK -- Russia's agriculture ministry says during spring campaign of 2003 the farmers will plant 54 million hectares that corresponds to 2002 level and it is necessary to increase spring sowings to at least 36 million hectares to produce 65 to 75 million metric tons (MT) of grains, the department of governmental information said. In previous campaign spring crops were sown in 33 million hectares.

The preparation and carrying out spring field works will cost 50 billion roubles ($1.7 billion). Most of the farmers do not have sufficient financial recourses so mobilizing of local and federal budgets with bringing in credits from commercial banks for financial support will be required.

Annual losses of agricultural products from vermin, diseases and weeds converting to grain units total 70 million MT and from extremely dangerous vermin - up to 20 million MT.

The ministry suggests allotting to regional powers up to 500 MT of pesticides at no fee what would help to eliminate losses of agriculture products of considerable sum.

Also, as a part of support program of agriculture producers who suffered from natural disasters in 2002 and for exclusion of reduction of sowing areas the ministry suggests providing agricultural producers with seeds from federal fond at no fee.

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