In a meeting yesterday (Tuesday, September 27), Russian president Vladimir Putin said that Russian farmers may be called on to fight in the war against Ukraine.
“Agricultural workers may be called up during the partial mobilisation,” he said.
“It is necessary to provide support to their families.”
However, addressing regional heads and heads of agricultural enterprises, he said that this must not take away from the agricultural sector’s overarching goal: Ensuring food security in Russia and improving the lives of Russian citizens in rural areas.
“I want to emphasise again that additional revenue that the development of agriculture provides needs to go, first and foremost, towards supporting our people who work in rural areas,” he said.
“I am talking about tangibly improving their wellbeing and quality of life.”
Russian farmers
Despite the current global food crisis, Putin said that, thanks to Russia’s farmers, the “harvest this year will be good, with records for some crops“.
Putin said that 138.7 million tonnes of grain have already been harvested this year, which is approximately one third more than in the same period last year.
He said experts have estimated the total harvest to reach 150 million tonnes, including 100t of wheat. This would make it Russia’s largest harvest to date.
“We must continue to increase production, both to satisfy the domestic demand for affordable high-quality goods and to increase exports,” Putin said.
“I want to emphasise again that additional revenue that the development of agriculture provides needs to go, first and foremost, towards supporting our people who work in rural areas,” Putin said.
“I want to express confidence and hope that we will conclude all harvesting works and do everything we can to reach good results during the spring and autumn sowing campaigns,” he said.
“We have all the necessary means for that, and the work is in full swing. I wish everybody good luck.”
