Government meeting

Mikhail Mishustin's opening remarks

Minister of Agriculture Oksana Lut's report

Excerpts from the meeting:

Mikhail Mishustin: Good afternoon, colleagues.

Before we start, I will tell you about some adopted decisions.

Decisions have been made regarding New Materials and Chemistry, a national project focusing on technological leadership, and the development of a cluster investment platform, which is a special framework for businesses to build up the production of priority goods. It is especially important for achieving our country's technological sovereignty, a goal set by the President.

Within this framework, we are going to allocate 50 billion roubles to su ubsidise a preferential interest rate to support the construction of a "big chemistry" facility. Private investment in this project will exceed one third of a trillion roubles, which is seven times higher than the subsidy.

The expected outcome is a full-cycle production facility for synthetic fibre and thread, as well as polymers - all in high demand in the Russian light industry.

This measure will secure 450,000 tonnes in additional annual supplies of these materials, meeting the substantial share of the domestic demand. We expect this will strengthen the economic growth base by increasing the number of high-tech developments with high added value. This will help create new jobs, including in related industries. It will also have a positive impact on expanding the range of domestic product, improve their quality, and competitiveness.

Today's agenda includes measures to support the new Russian regions.

The President has noted that we should pay more attention to the integration of Donbass and Novorossiya with the Russian regulatory framework, to ensure that these entities can reach average nationwide indicators within five years.

The Government is taking systematic efforts to this effect. One of our goals is to achieve the stability and balance of the Kherson Region's budget. Last year, we allocated almost 5.5 billion roubles for this purpose.

We are planning to allocate around 2.5 billion more, to fulfill all social obligations to our citizens and to address the priority task of improving the quality of life in this region. Specifically, these funds are necessary for the procurement of modernised ambulances for local healthcare facilities.

We will allocate around 2 billion roubles for the development of reliable power supply systems in the Donetsk People's Republic and the Lugansk People's Republic, the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions. This money will be used to purchase new equipment and build emergency reserves. Once in place, they will help to promptly restore power supply to people's homes and local facilities in the event of unforeseen situations.

We will continue to do everything possible to develop these regions, implement infrastructure projects, and strengthen their socio-economic development. We will also ensure that people there receive the same state guarantees as in the rest of the country.

Let us now discuss another issue.

We will analyse how spring field works are proceeding in the regions. In the south they are currently experiencing a busy season, while the Volga region and the Central Federal District are just getting started. In the north, Siberia, planting can continue until the end of June.

The President has repeatedly emphasized that the achievements of our agricultural sector have become an example of dynamic and progressive development, as well as the successful adoption of the most advanced technologies.

Of course, we are expecting the same results this year. The Government is ready to support farmers in every possible way. The quality of home-grown seeds has improved, and, as a result, the demand for them among agricultural producers has increased. This applies not only to grain, but to other crops.

Over 50 percent of rape and sunflower seeds are Russian-made. The volume of sugar beet seed material has tripled, while until recently almost all beet seeds were imported. These are significant indicators for increasing the competitiveness of our agriculture.

It is important that farmers have access to everything they need for completing spring field works, including specialised equipment, fuel, mineral fertilisers and plant protection products.

The federal budget provides for preferential short-term lending to agribusiness. Over 50 percent of this funding is reserved for supporting the plant-growing sector. The Minister of Agriculture will discuss the sowing campaign in great detail. Please, Ms Lut, the floor is yours.

: Mr Mishustin, colleagues,

I would like to begin my report by a brief summary of the main results of 2025.

In 2025, grain harvest of 144.6 million metric tons is the third biggest harvest in the country's history. The gross yield of grain legumes was a record 8 million metric tons. In addition, the organised farming entities provided a historical high harvest of oil crops, including soybeans and oil seed rape, as well as fruit and berries.

Generally, the sector's performance made it possible to attain the main parameters of the Food Security Doctrine and consolidate our country's self-sufficiency in all key areas.

As far as this year is concerned, the sowing campaign is getting into high gear, with 55 regions joining the spring farm work.

At the same time, the weather anomalies that we all see in Central Russia, the Volga Region, and certain southern regions are preventing farmers from launching the full sowing campaign. This is why the effort is so far behind the schedule as compared to last year.

Currently, about 4.6 million hectares are under crops on the national scale. We hope that the weather will be back to normal soon, something that will enable us to increase pace and complete the spring sowing within the optimal agrotechnological timeframes.

In all, about 56 million hectares have been set aside for this year's spring crops. Another 20 million hectares are under winter crops, of which 97 percent are still in good or satisfactory condition despite the adverse weather. Let me note that this is way above last year's metrics.

On the whole, we forecast that this year's total area under crops will grow and amount to 83 million hectares.

Mr Mishustin,

I would like to emphasise that our farmers have all they need for a successful spring sowing campaign, including seeds, fertiliser, equipment, fuel and lubricants, and other resources.

For our part, we are monitoring the situation in the regions, including at the level of regional and federal headquarters, which meet on a daily basis. There are no difficulties, apart from weather, to report.

Regarding seeds, as you have pointed out in detail, the farmers have a sufficient amount of grain and legume seeds. The planting material of other crops will be supplied according to schedule. We continue to encourage tradition to domestic seeds. We have coordinated with the regions and approved plans to increase the share of domestic seeds for a period until 2030.

I would like to add that we have been working to reduce the need for imported seeds since 2022. Last year, our self-sufficiency in this area reached 70 percent. Under the Food Security Doctrine, the target of 75 percent is to be reached by 2030.

Another factor of a successful spring sowing campaign is the provision of affordable mineral fertilisers.

We approve annual acquisition plans based on current requirements. The deliveries are made on time, and there is a sufficient amount of fertilisers on the domestic market.

However, we are closely monitoring mineral fertiliser prices in the context of the current situation on the global markets. We are applying systematic measures that guarantee their affordability for Russian farmers.

In particular, the selling prices of nitrogen and nitrogen-containing fertilisers, including saltpetre, have reached the maximum level. That's why a temporary ban was adopted on the operation and issuance of ammonium nitrate export licences until May 7, and non-tariff quotas were approved for the export of several types of fertiliser until November 2026 .

Taken together, these measures allow us to maintain stability on the domestic market.

Regarding equipment, the regions have all the necessary equipment for the sowing campaign.

This year, our farmers have purchased nearly 7,000 new farm vehicles. The amount of leased equipment has increased by 30 percent compared to last year.

We are working with the Ministry of Industry and Trade to enhance the effective use of farm machinery, reduce its cost, and design new equipment based on the farmers' current requirements.

I would like to say a few words about the fuel market.

To ensure the uninterrupted supply of fuel to our farmers, we have coordinated with the Energy Ministry and approved the amount of fuel and lubricants necessary for the spring sowing campaign. There are no supply disruptions.

Another issue concerns the provision of funding to the farmers.

This year, 26.5 billion roubles have been approved for subsidising short-term loans, including about 17.5 billion roubles for seasonal work, which fully meets the farmers' needs.

In light of increasing climate risks, we continue to improve the system of subsidised agricultural insurance. This year, 4 billion roubles have been approved to finance the protection of our plant growers, which is more than we allocated last year.

To conclude my report, I would like to say that our industry is technically and technologically ready for the spring sowing campaign. It is logical that we expect to see good results this year.

Mikhail Mishustin: Mr Patrushev, I ask you as the person in charge of this sphere to monitor the situation in the regions, if necessary, helping them to complete the spring sowing campaign without failures.