21.3 mln ha of lands to be sowed in 2011 - Minister of Agriculture

ASTANA. March 10. KAZINFORM /Damir Baimanov/ "The total area of cropland this year will make 21.3 mln ha," Minister of Agriculture Akhylbek Kurishbayev has informed of it at the Government's telephone conference today.

According to him, 16.5 mln ha of lands will be sowed with cereals and legumes and 1.7 mln ha will be used for oil seeds sowing. The cropland for cereals and legumes was increased by 42 thousand ha in 2011.

Alongside, as the Minister noted, the volume of forage crops would be increased by 95 thousand ha, fruit and vegetables - by 2.5 thousand ha and sugar beet - by 1.7 thousand ha.