In a remarkable display of agricultural resilience, farmers across 55 regions of Russia have initiated the harvesting of grain and legume crops, achieving a yield of nearly 64 million tons. As reported by Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev, the current harvesting campaign is nearly twice as fast as last year’s efforts, with 40% of sown areas already harvested. Despite facing challenging climate conditions throughout 2024, the forecast for the total grain harvest remains optimistic, estimated at 132 million tons.
Patrushev emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum in the harvesting campaign, urging regional authorities to complete their work within optimal agronomic timelines. To ensure the quality of the collected harvest, regions must prioritize the readiness of drying facilities, elevators, and storage warehouses. The Ministry of Agriculture has been instructed to closely monitor reporting from regions on harvested yields, highlighting the critical nature of timely data collection.
With the onset of winter wheat sowing anticipated in the latter half of August, the government is focused on ensuring that farmers have access to necessary production resources, particularly seeds. Emphasizing the importance of domestic breeding, Patrushev urged regions to prioritize Russian seed varieties.
To support seasonal fieldwork, the Russian government has allocated 94 billion rubles to bolster agricultural production across regions. Additionally, 25 billion rubles have been earmarked for new preferential loans, while 7 billion rubles will support grain interventions, and another 1 billion rubles are dedicated to enhancing subsidized leasing opportunities. Efforts are also underway to strengthen the logistical framework for farmers, with a plan in place to supply fuel to agricultural enterprises until November and measures to ensure the availability of mineral fertilizers.
However, the weather may pose complications for the harvesting process. In August, rains and soil saturation are expected to hinder harvest operations in the Asian part of Russia, particularly in the Far East, where unfavorable conditions for grain maturation and harvesting persist. Nevertheless, conditions are expected to improve later in the month, especially in the Ural Federal District and Western Siberia, where optimal conditions for both harvesting and sowing winter grains for the 2025 season are anticipated.
In the majority of regions across the European part of Russia, agro-meteorological conditions for harvesting will remain close to normal, according to forecasts from the Hydrometeorological Center. However, the Southern and North Caucasian Federal Districts, along with southern regions of the Volga, will experience adverse conditions for the formation of yields in cultivated crops due to ongoing drought.
The current progress of the grain and legume harvest in Russia demonstrates the sector’s capacity to adapt to challenging conditions, with a yield of 64 million tons marking a significant achievement. With government support and an emphasis on timely harvesting and sowing practices, the agricultural community remains optimistic about reaching the projected 132 million tons of total grain yield this season. As challenges persist, especially related to weather, continued vigilance and adaptability will be essential for a successful harvest.
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