As of May 4, 2011, agrarians of the Russian Federation sowed spring agricultural crops throughout the areas of 7.9 mln ha (16% of the planned areas), declared the press-cutting service of the Ministry of Agriculture. Spring grains sowings occupied the areas of 4.7 mln ha (15.5% of the plan).

The Southern Federal District sowed spring agricultural crops throughout the areas of nearly 2.4 mln ha (39% of the plan), up 68 thsd ha compared to 2010 results. Agrarians of the North Caucasian District sowed spring crops throughout 684 thsd ha (43%), the Central District – 3.6 mln ha (43%), the Northwestern District – 57 thsd ha (13%), the Far Eastern District – 212 thsd ha (14%), up 168 thsd ha compared to the same date of the last year. The Siberian and Volga Federal Districts sowed spring crops throughout the areas of 194 thsd ha (1.5%) and 715 thsd ha (5%), respectively.

Several regions of the Southern, North Caucasian and Central Federal Districts completed the sowing works of spring grains (Krasnodar Krai, the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania, the Republic of Dagestan and Kursk oblast).

Agrarians continued sowing maize for grain, the general areas totaled 489 thsd ha (26% of the planned areas).

Agricultural commodity producers of Rostov oblast Krasnodar Krai and Primorsky Krai sowed rice throughout the areas of 13 thsd ha (6%).

Russia also continued sunflower sowing works – 995 thsd ha (15%). Agrarians sowed spring rapeseed throughout 82 thsd ha (12%).

In 2011, all categories of agricultural enterprises plan to realize spring sowing of agricultural crops throughout the areas of 50.4 mln ha, including spring grains and leguminous plants – 30.2 mln ha.

As of May 4, the Federal Districts already provided additional fertilizing throughout nearly 9.2 mln ha of winter crops sowing areas, or 60% of the sowing areas – 15.5 mln ha.

The general condition of winter crops sowings in Russia is estimated as good.

Source from AgrimarketInfo