First Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov addressed a meeting to mark the Day of Agricultural and Processing Industry Workers. He promised that the Russian agricultural complex would become truly profitable in the coming years.   

Mr Zubkov expressed confidence that in the coming years Russia would manage to fully tap the vast potential of its agriculture to "make the domestic agro-industrial complex truly profitable, to ensure the country's food security and, most importantly, to improve the quality of life of 40 million rural residents."

"It is necessary to build on the achievements of the agro-industrial complex in recent years. First and foremost to continue its technological modernisation, replenish the fleet of agricultural machines and introduce new forms of public-private partnership. All this would strengthen the potential of the agricultural sector, make it more competitive and attractive for long-term investments," Mr Zubkov said.

He said that "serious attention should be paid to rural gasification, improving rural infrastructure, and building modern housing, roads and social amenities."

Mr Zubkov noted the positive experience in the implementation of the National Project to develop the agro-industrial complex and the state programme of the development of agriculture. Their successful implementation shows that "people love their native soil and are willing and able to work in agriculture." Mr Zubkov noted that "the best traditions are being revived, and the prestige of the hard but vital farm labour is growing and entrepreneurial activity is on the rise."