Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr Zubkov said:

"I am pleased to greet you at the annual Russian agriculture exhibition Zolotaya Osen (Golden Autumn), which we are holding in the run-up to Agricultural & Processing Industries Workers' Day.

The previous two years were hard on agriculture, and they may well have undermined Russia's steady performance over the past five to six years. But the timely support provided by the government, as well as the efficiency of regional leaders and the responsible approach of producers have made it possible for us to achieve good results in all areas of agriculture. This harvesting season has brought in good cereal crops (more than 90 million tonnes), sugar beetroot (40 million tonnes), sunflower seeds (more than 8 million tonnes), and potatoes (28 million tonnes). The fodder base has been increased, thanks in no small measure to the expansion of plant cultivation. Good results have also been achieved in livestock farming as well as in poultry (10%-plus growth in output) and pig farming (a 9% increase). To cut a long story short, Russia's agriculture workers have done a good job this year.

The total amount of investment made in the sector since 2006 is now about to hit the 1.5 trillion rouble mark. This is a decent achievement, particularly if compared to other economic sectors.

Zolotaya Osen is not just a venue for summing up the year's results (the harvesting season is still ongoing, and its final results will be more substantial). At this exhibition, producers can also map out short- and long-term plans, share their expertise with others, and strike deals, including with foreign counterparts.

We intend to hold the Second International Grain Forum next year as part of the Zolotaya Osen exhibition. The output of the agriculture sector is growing, so we believe there is a need, and a way, to share views in a larger professional gathering.

Today, ahead of Agricultural Worker Day, I would like to congratulate all those working in agriculture and related industries. The government will continue to support you, helping producers distribute their products and cut costs, notably those related to the purchase of gasoline and fertilisers as well as to rail shipments. The sector is heading in the right direction, which means the government, regional authorities, businesses and farmers will be able to provide this country's population with high-quality products, reducing the need for imports.

I wish you all good health, happiness and success, and declare the exhibition open."

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First Deputy Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov also toured the Zolotaya Osen exhibition. Stopping at the Rosagroleasing display, he congratulated the graduate students and young faculty of federal agricultural universities who won Rosagroleasing scholarships for their research and work in innovative agricultural technology.

"I am pleased to hear that the programme to support young scientists that we launched last year is working and yielding its first results," he said. "This also proves that Rosagroleasing is more than just a financial support tool for the farming sector. It also effectively implements the government policy for the sector's innovative development. The technology and inventions developed by Russian scientists are enjoying demand among Russian farm machinery producers as these innovations give them a competitive edge on the international market."

Zubkov also visited the German and Dutch displays and attended a number of business events that took place on the first day of the exhibition.