Russian grain sowings increasing

Agriculture Minister Alexey Gordeyev says Russia planned to harvest 85 million metric tons of grain this year, 3 million tons more than in 2007.

Gordeyev said 300,000 hectares of land that was not used for growing grain would be reclaimed this year, and that this together with the use of new technology and mineral fertilizers would help increase the grain harvest.

This will enable it to export 15 million tons of grain in the 2008-2009 marketing year, he said.

Gordeyev also said Russia would increase its grain planted area by 3.5 million hectares in the next two years, which would enable it to export 25-30 million tons of grain a year.

He said the state agriculture development program provided for a rise in grain harvests to 100 million tons within the next five years.