OREANDA-NEWS. June 03, 2010. The strategy of agricultural development should be based primarily on the state support of three backboned industries – crop, pig and cattle husbandries. Minister of Agrarian Policy Mykola Prysyazhnyuk said this today at a briefing in the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine.

"The Ministry of Agrarian Policy has defined three key areas of strategic development of domestic agriculture - crop production, pig breeding and dairy cattle husbandry", said Mykola Prysyazhnyuk.

According to him, these three branches have a great potential, which must be developed. The Minister, for example, drew attention to the fact that today more than 50% of export of agricultural products pertains to crop production. Substantiating the need for development of pig breeding in Ukraine, Mykola Prysyazhnyuk stressed that, compared to beef cattle breeding, pork production is less costly both in time and finances. In addition, the demand of Ukrainians for this type of meat is not fully satisfied. The Minister also noted the need to develop dairy cattle breeding. According to him, although dairy cattle breeding is in crisis, export of dairy products consist 15% of total export of agricultural products.

The official noted that according to experts, agricultural sector is a priority for Ukraine's economy: "Calculations indicate that the increase of GDP in the agricultural sector makes twice as much effect than the increase of GDP in any other field".

According to Mykola Prysyazhnyuk, gross agricultural production today is about 110 billion UAH. He is convinced that the competent agricultural policy can increase the production of gross output by 3-4 times.