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In a Two-Day Venture to the North Caucasus Federal District, Prime Minister Mishustin Tackles Apple Business in North Ossetia
Hitting the Pavement in North Ossetia
Kicking off his two-day excursion to the North Caucasus Federal District, Prime Minister Mishustin made his first stop in North Ossetia. On Monday, he got a lowdown on the development plan for Beslan, delving deep into the nitty-gritty of apple cultivation.
- Along for the Ride * Photo: Kommersant / Alexander Miridonov / buy photo
The 8.5 billion ruble plan in place for Beslan encompasses the construction of cultural, educational, and sports facilities, as well as the upgrade of communal networks. Progress on the majority of the projects has been made, with Mishustin personally checking out completed projects during his visit.
One such completed project was a music school, where Mishustin jammed a tune or two on an Ossetian harmonica with one of the students. Listen to a school kid play the violin for the first time (a jolly rendition of "Happy Geese") and Mishustin couldn't help but comment, "Awww, the geese look a tad bummed out." In a redo, the school director requested a replay, and Mishustin cheered, "Now that's more like it!"
- Playing It Again * Photo: Kommersant / Alexander Miridonov / buy photo
Photo: Kommersant / Alexander Miridonov / buy photo
Jamming with the Prime Minister * Photo: Kommersant / Alexander Miridonov / Buy Photo*
As apples were next on the menu, Mishustin paid a visit to an agro-industrial enterprise, "Kazachy Khutor." The North Caucasus Federal District accounts for more than half of the apples produced in the country, with 956 thousand tons coming from this region alone. Predicted yield for fruits and berries in 2021 is anticipated to reach 2.1 million tons, despite a potential 10-15% drop in some households due to spring frosts.
By 2028, Russia aims to reach self-sufficiency in apples, requiring 2.5 million tons. To reach this milestone, the focus is on "intensive and super-intensive" growing technologies by heightening the number of saplings per hectare.
The "Kazachy Khutor" enterprise primarily cultivates foreign apple varieties like "Golden" and "Red Delicious." Mishustin emphasized the importance of preserving native genetics and seed production and fostering homegrown apple varieties.
To give these ambitious goals a boost, Russian agriculture Minister Oksana Lut suggests implementing the aformentioned technological advancements and offering state support to these innovations.
In his traversal through the apple orchards and the "Kazachy Khutor" enterprise, Mishustin got a firsthand look at what it takes to turn apples from a distant dream into a reality for the people of North Ossetia.
- Mishustin's visit to North Ossetia also included a stop at an agro-industrial enterprise, "Kazachy Khutor," where he discussed the future of apple cultivation.
- The North Caucasus Federal District, known for producing more than half of the apples in the country, anticipates a predicted yield of 2.1 million tons in 2021, despite potential drops due to spring frosts.
- Mishustin emphasized the importance of preserving native apple genetics and seed production, rather than relying solely on foreign varieties.
- Russian Minister of Agriculture, Oksana Lut, proposed implementing advanced technologies and offering state support to foster homegrown apple varieties to reach self-sufficiency in apples by 2028.
- As politics and general news unfolded, it was a sad day for food-and-drink enthusiasts as the prime minister's tour seemed to focus mainly on apple businesses in North Ossetia, leaving lifestyle matters untouched.
