Russia key player on global agriculture market - FAO director
Russia has made considerable progress in developing its agricultural sector and is a major player in the world agricultural market, according to the head of the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Jose Graziano da Silva.
“Russia is poised to become the biggest wheat exporter in the world in the 2016/17 season. Furthermore, according to our estimates, total Russian cereal production in 2016 will be a record,” he said in an interview with RIA Novosti.
According to da Silva, Russia has made considerable progress in dairy and meat production, and food quality has improved significantly.
He also praised Russian efforts as one of the FAO's most significant contributors to global nutrition security.
“Russia-FAO cooperation envisages knowledge exchange and the provision of technical assistance to developing countries to ensure food security and food safety, nutrition, tackling transboundary animal and plant diseases. The FAO is also very interested in attracting Russian expertise in forestry, fisheries, land and water management and soil programs,” da Silva said.
According to the director-general, Russia is providing $6 million to the FAO to control food and mouth disease in the ex-Soviet republic of Armenia, and to support the Global Soil Partnership.
“Looking ahead, the FAO hopes to establish close cooperation with Russia on natural disaster crisis management,” da Silva added.
