MOSCOW (Realist English). President Vladimir Putin held a working meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Patrushev on Monday to discuss the implementation of key national projects in ecology, agriculture, and rural development.
Patrushev reported that the national project “Environmental Well-Being” — funded with more than ₽800 billion ($8.5 billion) through 2030 — is focused on protecting water resources, restoring forests, improving waste management, and transitioning to a circular economy.
He highlighted that reforestation now exceeds deforestation levels, calling it one of the government’s major environmental achievements. “Russia’s forests represent one-fifth of the world’s reserves,” Patrushev said, noting improved wildfire control and the early stabilization of the fire season this year.
The deputy prime minister also detailed progress on major clean-up operations, including the Krasny Bor landfill in Leningrad region and the Baikal Pulp and Paper Plant in Irkutsk region, as well as plans to eliminate 50 additional hazardous sites by 2030.
Turning to agriculture, Patrushev announced a strong harvest: grain output is projected at 135 million tonnes, including 88 million tonnes of wheat, up 10% from last year. He attributed the gains to state support, technological upgrades, and weather-mitigation measures such as artificial rainfall systems.
Russia’s agricultural self-sufficiency continues to improve, with domestic seed production expected to reach 70% in 2025 — up from 60% in 2022. Livestock and dairy output are also growing, while food prices remain stable.
Patrushev said that the new national project “Technological Support for Food Security” will advance genetics, biotechnology, and agricultural engineering, alongside programs to modernize rural education and create 18,000 agrotechnical classrooms by 2030.
Putin welcomed the progress, particularly in reforestation and food production, but urged continued attention to regions affected by drought. Patrushev assured the president that the government and local authorities are coordinating targeted support to stabilize farmers’ finances.
“In general, the agricultural sector remains stable and well-supplied,” Patrushev concluded. “With the reduction of key rates and renewed investment activity, we expect to enter a new phase of growth.”
