Penza, 21 November 2014. PenzaNews. An agricultural expo of the regional farmers took place on the square near the regional Philharmonic Hall and “Penza” cinema and concert hall on Friday, November 21.

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The farmers presented their meat, fish, vegetables, fruit, bakery products and honey.

In addition, the visitors had an opportunity to taste national meals prepared in special open booths right on the square. For example, Gorodishchensky area representatives offered Penza residents to taste kebab and Tatar cuisine.

The main dish of Mokshansky area delegation was fish soup, and the representatives of Bashmakovsky area served pilaf.

According to Vyacheslav Orel, deputy chairman of the Penza region government, the large number of exhibitors and a wide range of products presented show that agricultural industry is developing.

“This year our region collected 1,365 thousand tons of grain: it is a good result. We expect that the enterprises produce around 175 thousand tons of meat, about 200 thousand tons taking into account different farms. The region’s milk production also significantly increased. Traditionally, we have had the highest average salary in the industry. There are some issues, but we are encouraged by the fact that farmers have seriously increased their quantity and quality, their attitude to the land and animals,” he said.

However, Vyacheslav Orel acknowledged that agriculture has a number of problems, including a decrease in dairy cattle in smallholdings.

“Unfortunately, since regional rural population continues to age, it gets harder to keep animals. But we have plans how to work there in the future,” the deputy chairman of the regional government stressed.