The meeting's participants examined a number of issues as regards more cost-effective federal leasing plans under a programme to support Russian agricultural producers.

The board of directors approved plans to establish machinery-and-technology companies in the Republic of Tatarstan and the Samara Region. The discussion included President Rustam Minnikhanov of the Republic of Tatarstan and Samara Region Governor Vladimir Artyakov.

"Machinery-and-technology companies can be a real impetus in modernising the agro-industrial sector and introducing innovation technology into agricultural production. Such companies will make it possible to reduce the expenses incurred during the use of farming machinery by small businesses. Please prioritise cooperation with farms during the implementation of pilot projects," Zubkov stressed.

Machinery-and-technology companies should include the leasing of modern resource-efficient equipment to agricultural producers for seasonal fieldwork, as well as for utilities, production and timber felling operations. This will facilitate year-round equipment operation, making it possible to reduce the rural population's expenses.

Machinery-and-technology companies will build service centres for scheduled and unscheduled repairs, restoring components and extending the service life of the equipment. Moreover, such companies should provide training and advanced training for machine-operators, including the use of resource-efficient technology.

Rosagroleasing and Rosselkhozbank will provide machinery, equipment and materials for these machinery-and-technology companies. The first two projects, scheduled to be completed in 2011-2014, will cost 4.6 billion roubles (including loans).

"The establishment of machinery-and-technology companies in Tatarstan will provide agricultural producers with additional farm equipment," said President Rustam Minnikhanov of the Republic of Tatarstan.

"This project will make it possible to provide very productive equipment and will also create an additional potential in cultivating and reclaiming farmland," said Samara Region Governor Vladimir Artyakov.

"Pilot projects in the Republic of Tatarstan and the Samara Region will be used to promote this programme in other regions of the Russian Federation. Some regions have already submitted proposals to Rosagroleasing," Rosagroleasing Director General Valery Nazarov said.

The board of directors also discussed the sale of 5,500 pieces of surplus farming equipment, purchased in 2005-2008. The board noted corporate efforts to reduce idle stock in 2010 and approved additional measures to promote the sale of the surplus equipment.

The board of directors approved Rosargoleasing management's plans for purchases in 2011. The plan specifies equipment purchases solely on the basis of requests. Moreover, equipment planned for lease will not be acquired from intermediaries who lack manufacturer status.