In a meeting with representatives of the poultry farms of the Kuban and leaders of key enterprises in the industry, the Minister urged them to cooperate to solve problems and increase poultry production.

Opening the meeting, Edward Kutygin, said that the Ministry wanted to see the formation of a system of interaction with livestock associations in the region.

The Minister said that all poultry enterprises should be included in an organisation focused on solving the local industry problems and production in the region should receive state support.

"We are interested in increasing the volume of production, bringing in subsidies and increasing the collection of taxes, which pay the farmer. The regional market should be 80 per cent ours. Before the end of this year, we need to increase the production of poultry products by at least five per cent." said Mr Kutygin.

Representatives of the PoultryUnion of Kuban said that among the main problems for the sector was providing poultry feed becasue the high cost substantially reduces profitability.

There are also problems related to the purchase of raw materials - corn and wheat - and the disposal of manure, which can be used as organic fertiliser.

As part of the solution, Mr Kutygin called on factory farmers start their own feed production and integration with crop enterprises.