The Russian government has laid out a bold plan to reach complete self-sufficiency in seeds for key agricultural crops by 2030, a course outlined by the Ministry of Agriculture and reported by TASS. The aim is not only to reduce dependence on foreign seed imports but to cultivate a robust domestic seed industry that can support farmers across the country with high-quality varieties adapted to Russia’s diverse growing regions.
Officials indicate that import volumes for basic crop seeds will drop significantly in 2023, with expectations that imports will be halved. To accelerate progress, a targeted scientific and technical program is being rolled out. It prioritizes selecting and funding promising projects that will lead to the creation of new Russian varieties and hybrids, with decision milestones set to be reached before year’s end. The emphasis is on delivering practical outcomes that farmers can apply in the field, improving yields, resilience, and profitability for domestic growers.
Support for farmers remains a central priority for the ministry. A nationwide network of Competence Centers has been established to provide farmers with guidance on accessing government support measures, launching and expanding agricultural ventures, marketing products, and navigating regulatory processes. This network is designed to help rural producers scale up operations and integrate into new or existing market opportunities with clearer pathways to assistance.
In a broader policy framework, the ministry reaffirmed its forecast for the current agricultural year, confirming an estimate of more than 65 million tons of grain exports from Russia. This projection underscores Russia’s role as a major supplier on the world stage and reflects the combination of strong harvests and expansive export capacity that farmers and exporters have worked to build in recent seasons.
President Vladimir Putin has also commented on seed supply, noting ongoing challenges with seed availability across various crops in Russian agriculture. The administration’s response centers on expanding domestic seed production, speeding up breeding programs, and strengthening the regulatory and financial incentives that encourage private and public sector collaboration in seed development. The government’s strategy emphasizes long-term security for the agri-food sector, aiming to shield farmers from price volatility and supply disruptions while keeping Russian production competitive on global markets.