Agriculture

AGRICULTURE

Agricultural sector employs more than 0.26 min people. i.e. 15% of economically active population. In 1995, the agricultural output totaled 4824 billion roubles (in current prices). In agricultural production about 4.5 mln hectares of land are cultivated, which equals to 67% of the territory of the Republic. The area of arable land makes up 81%. Among grain crops are comprising 57% of sowing area the main are spring wheat, rye, peas, barley oats. Important food crop is potato. The basic industry crop in the Republic is sugar beet. Fodder crops cover 36% of sowing area.

In the Republic there are 1.6 million heads of cattle, 1.0 million pigs, 1.4 million sheep, 10.9 million poultry, 12.000 bee-families.

Production of basic agricultural crops (1995):

wheat - 2,939,000 ton

sugar beet - 860,000 ton

potato - 1,570,000 ton

vegetables - 282,000 ton

fruits and berries - 6,500 ton

meat (life weight) - 350,000 ton

milk - 1,615,000 ton

eggs - 1,100 million

Production of such products as grain, potatoes, meat, milk and eggs per capita in Tatarstan is 15-60% higher than in Russia. However, production of vegetables and fruits and berries is lower than in Russia (by 20% and 70% respectively).

The main industrial sectors of food industry in the Republic are meat, dairy, flour-grinding-cereal,. bakery, beer-brewing and soft drink production, sugar-making, confectionery, starch-syrup, fishery.

Tatarstan has pioneered in the introduction of new technologies, including the use of small-scale processing plants. Although Tatarstan lies at 56 degree north latitude, it is now number one in Russia for grain corn production. Cooperating with Pioneer Hi-Bred International Inc., headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, which has provided new technology, Tatarstan has yielded record levels of 50MT/ha dry grain with 14% moisture. Using French technology, Tatarstan farms have dramatically increased their yield in sugar beet production.

New Dutch technology had led to excellent potato crops. Today Tatarstan is practically self-sufficient in basic food production.