Deputy Minister of agriculture of the Russian Federation Sergey Levin, in his speech said that in 2016 Russia set a record in production of fruits and berries – 3.3 million tons, which is 14% higher than a year earlier.

Including in the agricultural sector to the gross yield increased by 25%, in the peasant (farmer) farms, including individual entrepreneurs 5.3%, in farms of 11.1% to the level of 2015.

Currently, however, domestic horticulture is not able to fully meet the needs of the population in fruits and berries. So, at the expense of own production is only 25,8% of the demand.

"The Ministry of agriculture has been consistently increasing support for the industry – the annual establishment of the modern gardens increased by more than 14 thousand hectares, of which 2/3 are gardens of intensive type, "—said Sergey Levin.

The keynote presentation during the round table were the Director of the Department of plant, mechanization, chemicalization and plant protection Pyotr Chekmarev. He announced the main indicators of the industry.

"The total area of fruit and berry plantations in the past year amounted to 517 thousand hectares the Average yield of fruits and berries in households of all categories increased by 13.1% and amounted to 85.6 kg/ha", — said the head of the Department.

Despite the positive trend, in 2016, Russia imported 1.6 million tons of fruit (apples, pears, quinces, apricots, cherries, cherries, plums), for the cultivation of which in our country there are all conditions. This despite the fact that owing to climatic features of Russia will always import fruit products citrus, subtropical and nut crops.

Peter Chekmarev added that in order to import substitution, it is important to develop our own production of fruit and berry production.

"We need an annual pledge of at least 500 hectares of fruit nurseries for production of planting material of the higher classes", he added.

The meeting noted that establishment of perennial plantations – an expensive undertaking. 1 ha of traditional orchards costs an average of 180-200 thousand rubles, gardens of intensive type - more than 1 million rubles, and super-intensive garden – up to 2-3 million rubles.

Increasing the area of perennial plantations contribute to the measures of state support provided for the development of horticulture and nursery in the framework of the "unified" subsidies.

Currently in Russia the state support of investment projects 89 horticulture in the total amount of credit funds of 2.2 billion rubles. The amount of paid subsidies is 270,7 million.

Photo: techdrinks.info