High hopes: what farmers expect from the new government

To choose does not mean to agree

The work of the acting President and the government is assessed by the players of the agro-industrial sector in different ways. Despite the fact that the level of approval of Putin's activities exceeded the mark of 80%, there are contradictions in society. Previously, we wrote about the fact that about 1,500 Trade Union members agreed to support the Director of the regional public organization "People's Trade Union" Davud Adakhov. The farmer intends to register an opposition political party and demand the resignation of Vladimir Putin. Adakhov explained that the existing parties "do not focus on winning and are not fighting for the interests of the people".

Many farmers also do not approve the policy of the acting Minister of agriculture, however, in a less radical form. So, the anonymous businessman from the region complained that the state doesn't pay proper attention to problems of farms. Support for dairy farming should become more focused and effective, as farmers need subsidies. The speaker expressed hope that the expectations from the activity of the new government will be fully met.

- I would not like to talk about who will become the new Minister of agriculture, but assessing the work of Tkachev, I can say that his policy in the dairy industry is not effective enough. I want to believe that with the arrival of the new government, the situation will improve. There are all opportunities for this, it is important to want to change for the better, – said the speaker. 

The current government has exhausted itself, it was declared by Vladimir Ievlev, Odoevskaya cheese factory "Syrbezdyr".

– For me the perfect Prime Minister was Nikolay Ryzhkov, the great professional. Today, the government needs the same industrialist: a person who knows how the industry works from inside. The same applies to the Minister of agriculture. I cannot pronounce ready names, but the current government doesn’t have such people – it exhausted itself, said Ievlev.

At the same time, according to analysts, Alexander Tkachev has a high chance to remain in his former position.

We are waiting for a change 

It is time to solve social problems and strengthen Russia's economic position. A number of players in the dairy market associate the start of positive changes directly with the change of government, but there are those who note – it is under the power of the current government to influence the course of the situation. Denis Zyuzin, CEO of GC "Kiprino" believes that the main factors are the wish and desire to change the situation for the better.

– Today I don't see any difficulties either with milk, or with volumes of its production. The main problem is the insufficient number of consumers and their purchasing power. Therefore, it is logical to think that the new Government should take care of improving the quality of life of our people. It is necessary to introduce standards for public catering, education, support for young professionals and young families: the demographic issue is quite acute in our country. The system of state organization at the municipal level should be revised: it would be reasonable to reduce the number of villages, build modern educational institutions and shopping centers and organize decent medical care. 

The expert did not call specific names, but specified – he would like to see a really interested person with the right ideas and the program on the position of the Minister of agriculture. The new Minister should be a specialist who knows how the farm is organized, with extensive management experience and not necessarily of large holdings. According to Zyuzin, the new government must set the right, real and living tasks.

The main thing is to start to change, thinks Alexey Demyanov, the representative of  "Syrnaya guberniya". The government should promote the development of entrepreneurship, transparency of loans and access to participation in government programs. The procedure should be clear from the very beginning for those who use any measures of state support. The farmer must have a clear answer to the question "can I?". For example, the rate of 20% is beyond the reach, and the rate 5% looks much more realistic. The question is that there are rates, but the conditions are such that it is very difficult to reach the finish line.

– If we speak about our market, it is necessary to get involved honestly and reach the finish, having designated the purposes. To correct the situation is quite simple, the main thing is to start. We can achieve any results in almost a year. I have only one recommendation – to put the problems of our industry on the agenda, – said Demyanov.

Bring the dairy market out of the shadows 

It's not a secret that to date, the dairy market has a large share of falsification. According to a survey conducted by The DairyNews in April, a third of respondents noted an extremely high (up to 90%) share of falsification in the cheese category. According to 24% of respondents, the share of falsification in the total area of the dairy market is more than 50%. Marketer Alexander Baboshin believes that an effective measure in the fight against substandard products will be the formation of uniform requirements for products – it's time to stop confusion with substitutes and bring the dairy market out of the shadows.

- The government should strengthen support for agriculture, equalize "distortion" - now the bulk of the profit "settles" in the retail, despite the fact that the bulk of the work falls on agriculture. I think it is important to reallocate profitability in this segment. As for the upcoming changes in the government, I would like to see Sergey Shoygu as the Head of the Government. It is difficult to say who will become the new Minister of agriculture. Opinion on the candidacy of Alexander Tkachev is ambiguous: in his work both positive and negative aspects have been marked, commented Baboshin.

Today, the priority tasks for the Government and the industry are, first, to increase milk production in Russia - in particular, with the help of a program to support farmers. This was told to The DairyNews by Dmitry Eremin, Chairman of the Board of Directors of JSC "Group of companies "Rossiyskoe moloko" (GC "RosMol"). This measure will reduce milk prices due to increasing production volume and modernization of agricultural enterprises. Secondly, it is important to eliminate excesses in the provision of local subsidies and to avoid corruption in the allocation of subsidies at all levels. In addition, protective measures are needed to prevent the importation of cheap imported products, including milk powder into Russia. It is necessary to quota to a minimum the import of palm oil, strengthen control over surrogate, toughen penalties for dishonest manufacturers – to increase fines and remove their goods from the shelves, to ensure fair competition, including through the control of retail chains by the Department of the Federal Antimonopoly service. 

– As for the appointment of the Head of Government, it is the priority of the President of the Russian Federation, and the candidacies of the Minister of agriculture, Heads of Federal agencies are in the competence of the Prime Minister. We, GC “RosMol”, are ready to work and invest in Russian enterprises with any people appointed by the President and the Government, – said Dmitry Eremin.

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