Farmer in Nizhny Novgorod, east of Moscow, is desperate Kassoumov Acker. This summer, because of the drought, "the grain of wheat could not germinate," laments the operator in front of cameras showing the chain Volga an ear of corn all withered. Result, the performance of his farm is expected to reach ten quintals per hectare instead of 28 quintals provided. As to the 210 acres of grass hay sown a few months ago, "they have been wasted," says Acker Kassoumov.
After a very cold winter and snow, this year Russia is experiencing one of the worst droughts in its history, as in 1972 when the USSR was forced to import wheat. In the Volga basin, but also in Siberia, the mercury rises, reaching 35 degrees for several weeks in Krasnodar (southern).In Ulyanovsk, 900 miles southeast of Moscow, only 200,000 tons of wheat should be harvested, against more than one million tonnes last year.
Nineteen areas in particular suffer from this episode extreme climate, mainly located in the southern basin of the Volga River where the water, whether drinking purposes or watering, is sorely lacking. "There is not a question of financial loss, but survival of peasants!" Has alarmed Skourikhine Pavel, President of the National Union of Producers of wheat, at a press conference Moscow. Many farms are facing bankruptcy payday advance. Given the urgency of the situation, the authorities of countries have expressed readiness to help these nineteen regions. Budgetary allocations will be granted at rates well below inflation (2% per year over five years).A total budget of 40 billion rubles is raised (about one billion euros), a figure corresponding to the amount of losses as assessed by the daily Kommersant.
Unlike their Western colleagues in such circumstances, the Russian agricultural officials are careful not to formally assign catastrophism, making sure to thank the Kremlin for their efforts.
Wheat prices soar
Professionals note in Siberia, a drought will resume wheat prices, to offset the fall in prices that occurred last year after a phase of overproduction. Prices were burning this weekend on U.S. and European markets for wheat, before a lull yesterday.
Subsequent events depend on the duration of the heatwave, which has experienced five episodes equivalents for 130 years.No meteorologist provides improvement in the medium term, however, but spread to the Far East of Russia. Whether in the Orthodox churches or the plains of Tatarstan Muslim, religious leaders pray for the return of rain.