Penza, 29 December 2014. PenzaNews. Food issue must be solved first in import replacement task, said the head of the region Vasily Bochkarev during the final 2014 press conference on Monday, December 29.

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Among other things, according to the Penza governor, regional SMEs must pay special attention to greenhouse farming.

“Don’t wait until large companies come here and begin building greenhouses in every region: it will affect the costs. Let us let local producers do business in the Penza region like in Kinel instead of going to Moscow to guard storehouses,” said Vasily Bochkarev.

He explained that greenhouse farming is used not only for fresh vegetables, but also garden produce, berries and other goods usually imported to the Penza region.

“We must motivate people for this project, solve the problem with initial capital and cooperation: who will produce, who will sell, and so on. Moreover, we must bring down the strongest obstacle to any business – cowardice. We must choose people carefully and persuade them to open businesses,” Vasily Bochkarev concluded.