The Ministry of Agriculture of Russia and Gazprom signed an agreement on cooperation in the field of using natural gas as a motor fuel, which will make it possible to expand its use in the agro-industrial complex. This is stated in the message of the Ministry of Agriculture.
“Minister of Agriculture Dmitry Patrushev and Chairman of the Board of PJSC Gazprom Alexei Miller signed an agreement on cooperation in the use of natural gas as a motor fuel. This will expand its use in the agro-industrial complex,” the report says.
As the head of the Ministry of Agriculture explained, whose words are quoted in the message, due to its environmental friendliness and efficiency, gas has a high potential in various directions. Industry enterprises have been gradually increasing the number of vehicles running on natural gas for several years now. At the moment, there are about 15 thousand of them. According to the minister, the figure will increase, since operating costs are 20% lower than diesel counterparts.
In addition, the use of gas engine fuel in tractors is promising. As noted in the message, the Ministry of Agriculture is working with the Ministry of Industry and Trade on the relevant changes in technical regulations. According to the agency, there are more than 500 grain drying complexes operating on natural gas in Russia. “According to the estimates of the regions, their number needs to be doubled,” the Ministry of Agriculture noted.
The department encourages farmers to use gas through state support instruments. Thus, within the framework of concessional lending, it is possible to purchase machinery and equipment for converting cars to gas, as well as the purchase of mobile gas filling complexes. In addition, together with Gazprom, Rosagroleasing and regional agro-industrial complex authorities, additional types of support are being developed, including through preferential leasing. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, it is planned to launch the mechanism already this year.
“Thus, the signing of the agreement will allow us to coordinate efforts to further increase the use of gas in the agro-industrial complex as a fuel. This will have a positive impact not only on the agricultural economy, but also on the environmental situation,” Patrushev emphasized.
Full version on the website of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation and Gazprom will expand the use of natural gas in the agro-industrial complex
