Russia will extend spring sowing considerably to make up for damage caused if the current drought lasts until September, Agriculture Minister Yelena Skrynnik said on Wednesday.
"Our regions confirm that winter sowing will amount to 18 million hectares. If the weather changes, it will possibly be 15 million hectares, so we'll have to raise the spring sowing by 30 percent," Skrynnik told Prime Minister Vladimir Putin.
"Everything depends on weather conditions. If there is no rain before September 5, we'll have to boost spring sowing, which means that we'll have to increase the number of machines, fuel and lubricants, seeds and loans too," Skrynnik told Putin.
NOVO-OGARYOVO, Russia, August 11 (RIA Novosti)
