The head of Kalmykia, Kirsan Ilumzhinov, pledged to make his republic into “the Russia’s meat plant”.

(Kazan, February 25, Tatar-inform). Russian Agriculture Minister Yelena Skrynnik has signed with the governors of the Moscow, Kirov, Tula, Bryansk, Ivanovo, Saratov and Irkutsk regions, as well as with the heads of the Republic of Kalmykia and Altai an agreement on funds to be allocated within a state programme in 2010, for the total amount of 16.5 billion roubles, said the Russian Agriculture Ministry’s press service.

10.4 billion roubles from the federal budget and 6.1 billion from the territorial budgets are to be spent to support agricultural production and social development of rural settlements in the said Russian regions. “It is important that we this year sign the agreements 2-3 months earlier than in the previous years. This will allow our agricultural associations receive the funds by the beginning of spring field works,” enhanced Skyrnnik.

The minister went on to note the state programme co-financing on the part of the territorial budgets had been reduced from 50 to 35 percent. “I expect the regions to allocate extra funds, to ensure a gain in livestock production and villages' social development,” said the minister.

The Altai Region’s governor Alexander Karlin noted the signing of the agreements was a well-timed measure, contributing to resolving the urgent issue of food safety in Russia. “I am convinced the timely allocation of federal budget funds will allow meeting all the targets set in the state programme,” said the Altai Region’s chief.

The head of Kalmykia Kirsan Ilumzhinov pledged to make his republic into a “Russia’s meat plant”. Increasing cattle production is a Bryansk region’s intention as well. “A substantial part of the subsidies will be spent on implementing a project on cattle meat production in eight municipal districts of the Bryansk region,” said the governor Nikolai Denin.

The Saratov region’s governor Pavel Ipatov thanked the agriculture minister for a systemic and balanced approach to managing the industry, which “allows to not only implement high technologies in production but to increase the national agriculture industry’s competitiveness, including livestock and poultry production.”
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