Putin vows to develop Russia's agricultural sector, rural areas

Russian President Vladimir Putin vowed to develop the country's agricultural sector and rural areas in a speech published by the Kremlin on Sunday, the Day of Workers of the Agricultural and Processing Industry.

Putin congratulated the workers on their professional holiday and said that Russia's agricultural sector is growing remarkably and agricultural output grew by 20 percent over the last five years.

Russia produced a record of a 135 million tons of cereal last year, and agriculture has become a hi-tech industry and a driver of the economy, he said, adding that almost a quarter of the population live and work in rural areas.

"We will certainly keep making living in the countryside more eventful, better, making it possible for people to materialize their plans and intentions, and uncover their best qualities and talents in their native land," Putin said.

The Russian government will make every effort to develop health care, roads and education in rural areas and there is a great deal to be done in this respect, he said.