"In 2020 the weather made its own adjustments - in some subjects the crop began 10 days before mean annual terms. Agricultural producers of the southern and North Caucasus Federal districts already in the third week of February began fertilizing of winter crops and sowing of early spring crops. Now, depending on weather conditions - work begin in some regions of Central and Volga Federal districts," - said the head of the Ministry Dmitry Patrushev at a government meeting on Thursday.

According to the 4 March spring sown 257,2 thousand hectares. Fertilizing produced about 3.7 million hectares of winter crops, he said.

Overall crop area in 2020 will increase by 790 thousand hectares to 80.3 million, including 52 million hectares of spring crops.

Patrushev also noted that the area under sowing of soybean, which has high export potential, is expected to be above last year's level - about 3.2 million hectares.

According to the head of the Ministry of agriculture, the preparation for the sowing took place and continues in normal mode. "We interact with each region, operatively to solve all arising issues," he said.

"Of course, one of the most important components is the timely state support. The Ministry of agriculture in mid-December 2019 sent the entire amount of the budgeted funds to the regions. It's at 103.9 billion rubles. Now at the level of constituent entities of the funds are communicated to the final beneficiaries, the question keep under special control," - said Patrushev.

According to the forecast of the Ministry of agriculture, the grain harvest this year may amount to 125,3 million tons against 121,2 million tons in 2019.