Russia’s grain production is expected to fall short of the targets by 13 million tons, according to Yelena Skrynnik, the Minister of Agriculture. As a result of the draught, Russia’s grain production this year has been estimated at only 85 million tons. Crops were killed on 4.5 million hectares in 15 regions. Emergency was declared in the affected areas. 

The Ministry of Agriculture has decided to extend the maturity dates for loans made to farmers in the territories affected by the draught. Farming operations that focus on grain production will have loan maturity dates pushed back three years.

Making assessment for future agricultural production, Ms. Skrynnik noted that Russia’s rice production will rise by 14 percent to 800 000 tons in 2010. Russia’s consumption of rice in the past year totaled 1.2 million tons. With growing domestic production, Minister Skrynnik urged to implement measures for import substitution.