Governmental Resolution No. 446 validating State Program of agricultural development and regulation of markets of agricultural commodities, raw materials and foodstuffs for the period of 2008-2012.

State Program of agricultural development and regulation of markets of agricultural commodities, raw materials and foodstuffs for the period of 2008-2012 is a sectoral nationwide policy document aimed at sustainable rural development of territories, increasing employment and the living standards of the rural population; increasing competitiveness of the Russian agricultural commodities on the basis of financial sustainability and modernization of agriculture, as well as on the basis of accelerated development of priority subsectors of agriculture; conservation and reproduction of land and other natural resources used in agricultural production.
The main objectives of the Program shall be as follows: (a) creation of preconditions for sustainable development of rural areas; (b) improvement of general functioning of agriculture; (c) improvement of financial sustainability and stability of agriculture; and (d) improvement of the regulatory mechanisms of the market of agricultural commodities, raw materials and foodstuffs.
Expected results: (a) improvement of living conditions in rural areas; (b) improvement of the provision of rural population with potable water; (c) increase of agricultural production; (d) increase of retail trade share of the Russian agricultural commodities to 70 percent of internal food market; (e) ensuring accelerated development of priority sub-sectors of agriculture, primarily animal husbandry, by bringing the share of pedigree livestock in the total number of agricultural animals to 13 percent, as well as by bringing the share of the area sown with elite seeds in the total sown area to 15 percent (scientifically substantiated rate); and (f) wider access to extension services for agricultural producers.
Coordinating authority for the implementation of the Program shall be the Ministry of Agriculture of the Russian Federation. The Program defines goals, objectives and main directions of agricultural development and regulation of markets for agricultural products, raw materials and foodstuffs, financial support and mechanisms for implementation of the envisaged measures, as well as their performance indicators.