About 0.5 trillion rubles will be allocated to support farmers

In 2022, Russia received not only a record grain harvest, but also a high index of agricultural production - 110.2% - the last time such an indicator was in 2014. The number of profitable enterprises increased from 85% to 90% compared to last year. “Of course, there was a decrease in profitability. If in 2021, taking into account subsidies, it was 25.6%, then at the end of last year it was only 21%, ”Fastova compared.

499.5 billion rubles were allocated to support the agro-industrial complex last year. - 20 years ago, ten times less funds were allocated for these purposes, reminded the deputy minister. In the current year, the amount of 445.8 billion rubles has been pledged. “However, the year is just beginning, and we expect that support at the end of the year will be at the level of the previous one,” the official stressed.

State support consists of two parts. The first direction is interbudgetary transfers - direct subsidies that are brought to agricultural producers through the regions. The second is the subsidization of concessional loans and the reimbursement of part of the capex for projects. Fastova said that in the first direction there was a new program that was announced last year - the production of vegetables and potatoes. 5 billion rubles were allocated for it. The measures that were taken last year have also been preserved, and in certain areas, including the development of viticulture and winemaking, rural tourism, and the greenhouse sector in the Far East, there has been an increase in state support. In the second direction, in addition to supporting the production of vegetables and potatoes, the amounts for supporting horticulture and dairy farming have also been increased, for the first time support has been added for the production of beef cattle.

Preferential loans are a very popular measure of state support among farmers. In 2021, in this area, farmers entered into short-term lending agreements for 756.3 billion rubles, in 2022 - for 913.1 billion rubles. But investment loans last year were taken a little less than the year before, Fastova noted. 157.9 billion rubles have been allocated from the budget for concessional lending for this year. Last year, the amount was at the level of 179.4 billion rubles, however, the deputy minister emphasized, such dynamics is due to the fact that the weighted average key rate last year was higher than this year. “The funds allocated from the budget for this year will be enough to maintain the volume of lending that was in 2022,” she is sure. 

This year, the term for granting preferential loans for the construction and reconstruction of baby food factories will be increased from 8 to 12 years. Fastova noted that mainly baby food, as well as medical nutrition, which was present on the Russian market, was produced by foreign companies, so these areas need to be given special attention.

Other new forms of support for 2023 are an increase from 20% to 50% in the amount of compensation for capital costs for the construction of breeding and seed centers. In addition, from this year, it will be possible to receive a refund of 20% of capital costs for the construction of aquafeed production facilities. It is very important to develop this area, Fastova emphasized, because Russian aquaculture enterprises mainly use imported feed for their needs, and import substitution is extremely important. Also, capex in the amount of 70% will be provided to dairy enterprises for the purchase of equipment for labeling. Also this year, the Ministry of Agriculture plans to continue supporting the export direction, while 50.9 billion rubles are allocated for it in the budget.

For the current year, state support for the integrated development of rural areas has been increased from 51.3 billion rubles. up to 59.9 billion rubles. “Everyone who works in the countryside understands that without “social programs” it is impossible to attract personnel and fully develop,” Fastova noted. Also increased the budget to support land reclamation. In the current unpredictable weather conditions, the Deputy Minister drew attention, it is melioration that will allow farmers to maintain a stable harvest and profit.