Tiraspol, 19 December. /Novosti Pridnestrovya/. As we have already reported, the Pridnestrovian delegation has returned from a business trip to Russia. One of the key issues discussed at the Business Russia forum was the development of agriculture in the PMR, Preidnestrovie daily reports.
The agreements reached in this sphere can be called a landmark for the resurgent agriculture of Pridnestrovie. With the support of Russia's dedicated authorities, Russian agrarians plan to implement a number of joint projects in Pridnestrovie.
The minister of agriculture and natural resources, Efimy Koval, recalled that the agreements reached in Moscow opened wide prospects for Pridnestrovian agricultural products in the Russian market.
"The sale of fruit and vegetables is the final stage. Russia's financial support aims at land reclamation, which provides a qualitatively new basis for growing crops. In 2018, Russia will finance the first stage of the reconstruction of Pridnestrovie's land reclamation system. Russia will allocate 2.4 billion roubles for these purposes from its budget," said Koval.
He added that in 2017 work on the formation of a package of estimate and design documents for Russia's investment programme for 2016-2018 had been completed. The documents had been drafted by Russian experts in coordination with Pridnestrovian colleagues.
Next year Russia is expected to supply and establish equipment to Pridnestrovie, after which works will start to restore and reconstruct the land reclamation system.
"The implementation of this programme will increase the area of irrigated lands to 26,800 hectares. Then we'll begin the implementation of the programme 'Development of land reclamation in Pridnestrovie in the period of 2017-2018.' As a result of the implementation of these projects, the total area of irrigated lands will reach 67,800 hectares," underscored the minister.
The programme is designed for six years. As a result of its implementation, this system will include 100 pumping stations in Pridnestrovie, 25 of which will be main stations. They will employ modern specialised equipment, which is made in Russia and which successfully competes with the most advanced EU equipment.
According to Koval, over 10,000 hectares of land was irrigated this year. Pridnestrovian specialists managed to carry out a considerable amount of repair works of the reclamation system, including the main stations.
"I stress that this has been done by our specialists without external assistance. relying only on their own forces and reserves. Thanks to this, the main pumping station in the Slobodzeya District to supply water at a distance of more than 20 km. Works have been performed in the Grigoriopol District as well," said the minister.
In order for local farmers to be able to occupy a worthy niche in the Russian market, they should, first, provide decent volumes. To achieve this, according to Koval, the cooperation of Pridnestrovian gardeners and vegetable producers will be required. To increase the volume of cultivated products, it is necessary to lay new gardens, develop vegetable production, especially those vegetables which are claimed in Russia. These include pepper, eggplants, Chinese cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli. The fruit includes: peach, cherry, plum and apricot.
"As for apples and pears, the Russians are increasing their own production and are not interested in importing these fruits. Yes, the prospects are great. But to start implementing them, we need considerable funds. Establishing orchards is a costly and long-term process. The Russians are ready to engage in the implementation of these plans. And it is not about state financing as in the reclamation development programme but rather private investment,' said the minister.
Russian agrarians are expected to visit Pridnestrovie in the second half of January 2018 to assess the situation. Further decisions will be taken following the results of the visit.
