President of Rosagropromsoyuz Viktor Biryukov took part in the final meeting of the Board of the Ministry of Agriculture.
At the final meeting, the results of the agro-industrial complex and strategic tasks for the future were discussed. The event was attended by Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation Dmitry Patrushev, Minister of Agriculture Oksana Lut, heads of constituent entities, representatives of both chambers of the Federal Assembly, federal authorities, industry and public organizations, the scientific community and business.
A video message to the meeting participants was sent by the Chairman of the Government of the Russian Federation Mikhail Mishustin. The Prime Minister noted that the domestic agro-industrial complex is a real locomotive of growth for the national economy, reliably ensures the food security of our state, and is mastering international markets. Mikhail Mishustin recalled that a new national project for the technological renewal of the industry was launched this year. "It is necessary not only to preserve, but also to multiply the achievements of the agro-industrial complex, to fulfill all the tasks set by the President, to strengthen Russia's position as one of the leaders in the global food market," the Prime Minister said.
Dmitry Patrushev, in his speech, emphasized that the agro-industrial complex ended last year with a positive result. The Government allocated 682 billion rubles for the implementation of four state programs for which the Ministry of Agriculture is responsible. This allowed to maintain the main support tools and served as a basis for stable production. Thus, in 2024, our crop growers harvested almost 130 million tons of grain. In animal husbandry, last year saw an increase in both meat and dairy sectors. Speaking about food production, Dmitry Patrushev reported that according to the results of last year, the food production index was 103.5%, and beverages - more than 109%.
Speaking about the key results of 2024, Oksana Lut noted that according to the results of last year, the key indicators of the Food Security Doctrine were met. For grain, meat, fish, vegetable oil, and sugar, our country provides for itself with a surplus and is maximally approaching the target indicators for milk, potatoes, and vegetables.
In addition, work on developing international trade continues. Last year, Russia supplied 109 million tons of food to the international market, which is 5% more than the previous year. This secured our country the third place in the world for agricultural product exports by tonnage. In addition to leadership in wheat, barley, and frozen fish supplies, Russia holds leading positions in sunflower and rapeseed oils, peas, and a number of other products. At the same time, one of the most important results is the active growth of exports of high value-added products. Last year, it grew by 6% in monetary terms, including record volumes of sunflower oil and flour supplied abroad.
The Head of the Ministry of Agriculture emphasized that specific people are behind all the successes of the industry. To create all the necessary conditions for their comfortable life and work, the state program for the integrated development of rural areas is being implemented. By the end of the year, the number of infrastructure facilities created and modernized within its framework will exceed 6,000, and the state program's activities will cover 17 million people.
To achieve national goals for increasing agricultural production and exports by 2030, the national project “Technological Support for Food Security” is being implemented. It is aimed at developing selection and genetics, the production of critically important additives, veterinary drugs and vaccines, agricultural machinery and equipment, as well as providing the industry with professional personnel.
In particular, work is underway to achieve 75% self-sufficiency in seeds for all major agricultural crops. Over the past year, this indicator has significantly increased and reached 67.6%. Significant progress has been made in sugar beet, sunflower, and other crops.
A federal information database of breeding resources has been launched for the development of the genetic potential of farm animals and poultry. From 2027, every agricultural producer will be able to use this system to acquire breeding animals for specific needs.
A number of projects are being implemented to create production facilities in the field of biotechnology. For example, a new starter culture plant is being built in the Yaroslavl region, and production in the Moscow region is being modernized. A large project for feed enzymes in Belgorod is being prepared for launch. New enterprises will appear in Rostov, Tula, Voronezh, and Kaluga. The implementation of these plans will significantly increase self-sufficiency in critically important components for the feed industry and food industry.
To provide the agro-industrial complex with modern agricultural machinery and equipment, systematic work is being carried out with the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Since the beginning of 2024, a joint working group on reverse engineering has been operating, which includes agricultural producers and processors. A new subprogram of the FNTD has also been launched, aimed at creating modern models of tractors and combines and other items that are lacking in the Russian market. By 2030, 27 types of new equipment should be developed within the framework of the subprogram.
The most important task, without which effective development of the industry is impossible, is providing personnel. A comprehensive system for training specialists from school to employer is currently being built. Last year, 50 agrotechnological classes were created in a pilot mode. By 2030, it is planned to expand their network to 18 thousand. The Ministry of Agriculture is also engaged in the integrated development of secondary vocational education. In particular, to increase the enrollment and the proportion of SPO graduates employed in the agro-industrial complex, a new program for agricultural colleges - Agroprofessionalitet - is being formed jointly with the Ministry of Education. In addition, the development of targeted training in universities continues. For the upcoming academic year, agribusiness has declared a need for training approximately 12 thousand specialists.
“In conclusion, I would like to emphasize: at the center of everything we do is the human being. Our main value is people. These are the millions of industry workers who stand behind every new record, and all citizens of our country for whom we work,” noted Oksana Lut.