On Friday, January 31, 2025, the IX Agricultural Forum "Development of Agricultural Production in the Penza Region" took place at the Penza State Agricultural University.
The forum attracted over 400 participants. The program included three sections: prospects for the development of rural areas by 2025; development of livestock farming in the Penza region; development of crop production in the region.
The opening speech to the participants was given by the Chairman of the Government of the Penza Region, Nikolai Simonov.
"The Penza region is small, one percent of the territory of the Russian Federation, but its agricultural successes are significant. Our region plays a major role in the country's agriculture. We lead in many areas - in livestock farming, poultry farming, milk production," emphasized the head of the regional cabinet of ministers.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture of the Penza Region Vyacheslav Shinyaev mentioned that special attention is paid to improving the lives of farmers and rural residents. Since 2020, the state program "Integrated Development of Rural Areas" has been in effect. This year, almost a billion rubles has been allocated for these purposes in the Penza region. The program includes the continued construction of modern and comfortable housing, improvement of public spaces, as well as construction and repair of roads.
"Despite the emergency situation due to frosts and drought in the region, a decent harvest was collected - over 2.6 million tons of cereals. Over 2.1 million tons of sugar beets. The region is successfully developing the cultivation of new agricultural crops, such as soybeans. In 2024, the gross harvest reached 206 thousand tons - an absolute record in the region's history. We are in the first place in the Volga Federal District for soybean cultivation," informed the First Deputy Minister of Agriculture of the Penza Region, Eduard Katashov.