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At the meeting devoted to subsidizing and providing grants to the farming sector, the Penza regional government discussed the results for 2018 and the future strategies.

The minister for agriculture of the region Andrey Burlakov reported on the overall regional government support to farming, which in 2018 exceeded 4 billion 900 million roubles, which is by 42% more than the figures of the previous year. The main support (preferential loans) was provided to the largest agri-holdings of the regions (‘Cherkizovo’, ‘Damate’, ‘Rusmolko’). At the same time record sums in the form of grants were provided to small and medium enterprizes.

‘According to the government decision the support for start-up businesses and family farms was increased and in 2018 amounted to 223 million roubles, this is also the largest over the last years,’ summed up Andrey Burlakov.

The 2019 regional budget assigns 100 million roubles for assisting the construction of the small elevators that are employed by grain exporters. More than 66 million roubles is allocated for subsidies to farmers that turn forest lands into farming lands.

‘It is the first time that we’ve introduced this practice. This is a significant amount of money, so it is important that it is allocated for dealing with most difficult lands. The land should not be left unused, it should bring profit and be attractive for investors,’ noted Ivan Belozertsev.

The governor also stressed the importance of a complex work with large agricultural producers and engaging them in solving social problems of villagers.

‘The government of the Penza region can find an optimum solution and strike an agreement with them. We have to draw the attention of business people to the issues that demand quick economic response,’ he added.

The governor also talked on drawing up the strategic workplan, which will detail all the problematic areas, with special attention given to the agri-businesses in remote areas of the region.

‘It should be stressed that the money provided by the government have to be used with maximum efficiency. And although the economic results in agri-business are really impressive for this year, we have to concentrate on the remaining issues which are still to be dealt with,’ summed up Ivan Belozertsev.