ST. PETERSBURG (Sputnik), Alexander Mosesov — A Russian embargo on food imports from a number of Western countries may improve local agricultural output, the president of UN International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) told Sputnik on Friday.
"Every political incident has its downside and its good side…. But the current situation also gives opportunities for small [Russian] producers to increase their productivity to be more effective and efficient and have access to the Russian markets, so there could be an advantage there," Kanayo Nwanze said.
The list of banned products includes meat, poultry, fish, seafood, milk, dairy products and fruit and vegetables.
On Thursday, the head of Russia’s agriculture Rosselkhoznadzor watchdog agency, Sergei Dankvert, said that Russian agricultural producers had called on authorities to expand the list of banned import foodstuffs if economic sanctions against Russia were extended.
Nwanze also said that Russia’s active ongoing contribution to the IFAD is vital for the UN agency.
"I must say to you I’m very exited about Russia joining IFAD. Russia became a member of IFAD only in 2014 but Russia increased its financial contribution to IFAD by 50%, it went from 6 to 9 million dollars," Nwanze said.
According to the agency president, Russia's contribution is especially important since IFAD actively works with Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries.
"In 10 of these countries, we have financed 40 projects for a total of 500 million dollars," Nwanze added.
IFAD promotes financial services and financial inclusion for rural areas globally by linking farmers to markets, strengthening small and medium-sized enterprises, improving livestock productivity, and urging government agricultural departments to invest in rural infrastructure.
The economic forum in St. Petersburg, taking place June 18-20, is held under the auspices of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
