Many of the domestically bred seeds of new potato and sugar beet varieties are not in demand among agricultural producers. This happens, according to Vladimir Plotnikov, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Agrarian Committee, because domestic seeds are inferior to imported ones in terms of yield.
“For farmers, it is not the country of origin of seeds and the name that is important, but a good harvest. Therefore, the main task is to make our varieties better,” Plotnikov explained. In this regard, the Government decided to make changes to the program of scientific and technological development of agriculture.
“The new subprograms for domestic seed production will include grain, corn, and vegetables,” Deputy Minister of Agriculture Oksana Lut said at parliamentary hearings in the State Duma on the scientific and technical development of the agricultural complex.
At the same time, she stressed that funding for already existing subprograms on seed production will also be increased (especially for sugar beet and potato growing). These funds will be directed to the transition to modern technologies in breeding. “The accumulated experience of seed centers is pushing for this,” Oksana Lut emphasized.
Full version on the website The Cabinet will carry out a technological update in the field of domestic breeding
