News

Oleg Melnichenko discussed preliminary results of the harvest season and agricultural achievements during a working meeting with Roman Kalentyev, Deputy Chairman of the Regional Government and Minister of Agriculture of Penza Oblast.
"This year we've recorded high yields for many crops. I understand Penza Oblast has several reasons for pride," Oleg Melnichenko opened the meeting.
"This year we expect to set approximately six records, four of them in crop production," stated Roman Kalentyev.
The gross harvest of grain and leguminous crops reached 3.38 million tons. With a yield of 40.7 centners per hectare, the region leads the Volga Federal District.
Grain harvesting is 99% complete against the plan. The 2025 harvest is projected to exceed 3.4 million tons, comparable to the second-highest historical record for the region. The absolute record of 3.6 million tons was set in 1973.
"3.4 million tons of grain, 1 million tons of oilseeds, 3 million tons of sugar beets, 330,000 tons of potatoes, and 101,000 tons of vegetables - these are excellent indicators our region has never achieved before," commented the Governor.
Currently, 2.8 million tons of sugar beets have been harvested, already 830,000 tons more than last year.
"Over the past five years, sugar beet production has increased by 800,000 tons in the region, representing the highest volume in the Volga Federal District. The oblast will achieve an absolute record in its entire history," reported Roman Kalentyev.
Another achievement is the sunflower harvest, with 642,000 tons collected against a 700,000-ton target. This exceeds the past five years' average by 150,000 tons, becoming an absolute record for Penza Oblast.
The Governor highlighted soybean production as particularly noteworthy, given high market demand. In 2025, soybean planting areas increased by 21% over last year and nearly tripled over five years. The soybean harvest exceeded 300,000 tons, setting an absolute record not only for Penza Oblast but for the entire Volga Federal District.
"The pace of our soybean development has attracted federal attention. Our agrarian university received approval from Russian Agriculture Minister Oksana Lut to develop new soybean varieties," reported Roman Kalentyev.
Potato harvest reached 330,000 tons, 125% of the 2024 level.
"Our new potato farming program launched this year is showing results. I expect next year will bring a breakthrough in potato production as we implement comprehensive measures involving land reclamation and storage facility construction," emphasized Oleg Melnichenko.
The Governor noted that annual incorporation of unused land into agricultural rotation contributed to high yields. This year, 10,000 hectares were added versus the planned 7,000, totaling over 100,000 hectares in five years.
"In terms of agricultural land use, the oblast has nearly returned to Soviet-era pre-1991 levels. This is a significant achievement," he noted.
Oleg Melnichenko instructed officials to continue returning unused arable land to production and maintain high agricultural output next year. He also assumed personal oversight of state support distribution to farmers, with 2.3 billion rubles allocated this year, requiring full utilization of these funds.
"We've reflected in the draft budget that state support volumes will be maintained," the Governor concluded.