Putin urges maximum efforts for good harvest

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin called on government, federal and regional officials and farmers to make every effort during the planting season to avoid a third consecutive year of loss of agricultural products, RIA Novosti reports.
The drought in summer 2010 destroyed a third of the Russian grain crop. Due to the low yield, in August 2010 the authorities banned the export of wheat, barley, rye, corn and flour. Initially, the embargo was in force until 31 December 2010, but then it was renewed, with the exception of flour, until June 30, 2011 – the time when more or less clear forecasts for the new crop can be made.
The Prime Minister emphasized that work on the sowing campaign is exceptionally important this year.