Russia plans to bring four million hectares of unused arable land back into production by 2025 under a new state programme.

According to crop consultant Mike Lee, the targeted areas are in less productive regions, but it could still be significant.

The news is believed to stem from a meeting held by First Deputy Minister of Agriculture of Russia Dzhambulat Hatuov.

According to his statements, the maximum use of agricultural land is a key factor for the intensive development of their agro-industry.

With government support, four million hectares of arable land will be brought back into production across the whole country until 2025.

From 2021, all regions will carry out the development of unused land in the framework of the state programme.

The implementation of this programme is expected to provide an annual increase in grain production by one million tonnes and 0.2 million tonnes of oilseeds.