Natural and economic conditions for the development of grain production in the Volga Federal district
The article contains the description of the Privolzhsky Federal district natural zones suitable for growing of grain crops. Differences in soil-climatic conditions and specifics of the cultivation of certain species of crops leads to a differentiation in the region. Use in cereal crops only natural-climatic factors determines the extensive towards the production of grain, which is insufficient for sustainable and reliable security of the country. Intensification of grain production requires reclamation; breeding of new varieties of plants, adapted to the change of climatic conditions, which are observed in recent decades; the creation of special equipment and technology ensuring the cultivation of crops on the basis of minimum tillage and resource-saving technologies. The authors identify requirements for cultivation of winter and spring wheat, corn, indicate the reasons for the low share of insured crops. Grain production is the basis for the development of livestock and especially its grain intensity, but relatively early maturing industries as pig and poultry farming, which largely shape the domestic demand for grain. Despite continued until the trend of reduction of the grain wedge, the share of grain steadily approximately 30% of the gross value over half of the marketable products of plant growing, as well as almost one third of all animal feed.