Russian agribusiness to bring 2 mln ha of farmland into use in three years - Agriculture Minister Luth

MOSCOW. Sept 11 (Interfax) - The area of unused farmland brought into use over the three years in 2022-2024 by implementing the "Land" government program should total 2 million hectares, Russia's Agriculture Minister Oksana Luth said on Wednesday at an Agriculture Ministry meeting in Moscow.

"Growth in agricultural production is ensured, among other matters, by bringing new agricultural lands into use. Over 950,000 hectares were brought into use under 'Land' government program in 2022-2023. The area of farmland involved should total 2 million hectares following three years of implementation," Luth said.

Upon the instructions of the Russian president following a meeting of the State Council in December 2019, the Agriculture Ministry developed the "Land" government program to bring agricultural land into use and develop Russia's farmland improvement complex. The government approved the program in May 2021, implementation began in 2022, and it is envisaged for 10 years. At least 13 million hectares are planned to be brought into use while the program is valid.

Russia's unused agricultural land is estimated at nearly 44 million hectares, of which 20 million hectares are arable land.