Penza, 28 March 2013. PenzaNews. In 2013, grain will continue to be in demand in the local and international markets. This opinion was expressed by the Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of Agriculture of the Penza region, Ivan Firyulin during a meeting with reporters held at the press center of news agency PenzaNews on Thursday, March 28.

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“At present, grain prices are very good. The cost per ton ranges from 10,5 to 13 thousand rubles and more,” the minister reminded.

He added that according to preliminary estimates, in 2013, grain price will range from 6,5 to 8 thousand rubles per ton, which is also beneficial to producers.

“But we will not be able to stay on the grain market with low yields and high costs,” Ivan Firyulin pointed out.

The minister reminded about the situation of 2012, when the region decreased the gross grain capacity because of failing to follow the technology.

“The crops were not protected from weeds, pests and diseases. During the drought of May and June, the plants could not develop. Even the following rains were unable to save the situation,” Ivan Firyulin noted.

He admitted that 80% of commercial production and 90% of valuable profit in the region’s agriculture is given by 43 farms, and 210 ones give the rest.

“It is absolutely clear that those 210 businesses do not use new technologies. Even with the increase of state subsidies, they will not run the business effectively. The modern technologies should be the principal pulling power,” the minister concluded.