Transcript of the beginning of the meeting:

Vladimir Putin: Ms Skrynnik, spring fieldwork is beginning ...

Yelena Skrynnik: That's right, Mr Putin.

Vladimir Putin: How's the branch, is it prepared for it?

Yelena Skrynnik: We are fully prepared for spring fieldwork and, what is particularly significant, farmers have received fuel and lubricants this year at fixed prices. We have calculated that rural residents will save 2,300 million roubles.

In addition, for the first time ahead of spring fieldwork we have announced prices for this year's grain purchasing interventions. This has never been done before, and will allow our farm producers to start spring fieldwork with confidence. This is because they now know that the grain they will sell will go to the interventionist fund.

Vladimir Putin: How do matters stand with your former company, Rosagroleasing? Did it get the money it was promised? How is it dealing with producers?

Yelena Skrynnik: Yes, Mr Putin, we received 25 billion right on the dot. We bought Russian-made tractors, harvesters and other towed equipment. Also KamAZ trucks worth 5 billion. All this equipment has already been shipped to the regions - everything is going well. The whole 25 billion has been spent on purchasing Russian-made equipment.

Vladimir Putin: Good.