Russian Minister Confirms: Free Grain Assistance for African Nations in the Near Future
RUSSIA has reaffirmed its commitment to providing free grain to several African countries, with the Agriculture Minister, Dmitry Patrushev, confirming the upcoming deliveries during his visit to the Omsk region.
The initiative, previously announced by President Vladimir Putin at the second Russia-Africa Summit in St. Petersburg, aims to bolster Russia’s role as a dependable partner in food supply to friendly nations.
Minister Patrushev outlined Russia’s intention to supply grain to African countries without charge. ‘We will supply African countries with grain free of charge. While we are talking about six countries and supply volumes from 25,000 to 50,000 tons, this is being worked out now. I think that these deliveries will be carried out in the near future,’ stated Patrushev during a media interaction.
He also highlighted Russia’s previous achievements in grain exports, noting that the country exported 60 million tons of grain last year. For this year, the projection is set at about 55 million tons, with potential for upward adjustments.
Patrushev affirmed Russia’s commitment to maintaining a strong partnership with friendly nations, extending beyond grain to encompass various food products. ‘Russia will continue to be a reliable partner for friendly countries in the supply of not only grain but food in general,’ he emphasised.
Last month, President Putin had announced the country’s plan to provide free grain to six African nations within the next three to four months. The recipients of this initiative include Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Mali, Somalia, the Central African Republic, and Eritrea. The aim is to contribute to food security and foster closer ties between Russia and these African nations.
As Russia moves forward with its initiative to provide free grain, its role as a supportive and dependable partner in food supply to African countries becomes increasingly prominent on the international stage.
Source: Techcrunch.com