Krasnodar to harvest record grain crop this year

KRASNODAR, July 22 (Itar-Tass) -- The southern Russian Krasnodar
region will harvest a record grain crop in 20 years - over 11 million tons
which is one million above the forecast figure, according to regional
Governor Alexander Tkachev.
"We have never harvested at such a speed and in such an organized
manner," he said on Thursday.
Tkachev said seven million tons of grain have already been harvested
and the yield of barley comprised 57.7 metric centners per hectare while
that of wheat was 55.4 centners, four centners above last year figure.
Nearly 23 billion rubles were invested into agricultural production in
Krasnodar region in five years. The profitability of agricultural
producers upped 5-7 percent on average.
"It is higher than any western farmer can dream of," Tkachev said.