Wind of change

At the agricultural forum in Krasnodar Territory, AGCO and Russkie Mashiny signed an agreement to set up a joint venture for production of modern farm equipment. President Vladimir Putin, who attended the festive event, congratulated the companies on their important deal.

The President attended the field demonstration. He watched the operation of Challenger combine harvesters and sprinklers, Valtra and Massey Ferguson tractors, and other manufacturers’ seeding and tilling equipment. In his opinion, the manufacture of these machines will enable Russia to introduce modern agricultural technologies in its farming enterprises.

The joint venture will operate in Moscow Oblast. Its total area will be 12.5 hectares, of which 27,000 sq m will be occupied by manufacturing facilities. This will be a full production cycle enterprise. In 2014, it will turn out some 1,000 tractors and combines.

The enterprise envisages creation of a servicing zone, exhibition hall and training centre where classes in the latest technologies will be held for customers and dealers. There are plans to create a modern model farm for demonstrating innovative production methods. In three years, the investments in the project will reach US$100 million.  

“The aim of creating the joint venture is to pool capabilities of manufacturing competitive machines with the building of an efficient servicing base,” says Steve Clarke, AGCO Vice President for Sales and Marketing in Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. “It also implies the strengthening of our positions on one of the world’s most promising markets.”

Nikolai Ivanishchev, Director General of AgroCentre, attended the remarkable event and noted that the manufacture of AGCO machines in our country will enable its farmers to acquire high quality equipment at affordable prices, introduce innovative farming methods and reach an essentially new level of agricultural production.

“The joint project will make it possible for us, the official dealer, to offer our partners a wide range of equipment and flexible financing schemes,” said Nikolai Ivanishchev in conclusion.