MOSCOW, September 19 (RIA Novosti) - Russia produced 74.7 million metric tons of corn this year, up 2.2. million tons on last year, the Agriculture Ministry said Monday.
"Grains and grain legumes were reaped from 36.5 million hectares (84% of the total cropping area), which is 0.7 million hectares more than last year," the ministry said in a press release.
The ministry said the average yielding capacity was 20.5 centners per hectare, or 0.2 centners per hectare more than in 2004.
About 11.4 million hectares of soil have been prepared for winter crops and 9.4 million hectares (59% of the projected sowing area) sown, equal to last year's figure.
Russia yielded 78.1 million tons of crops in 2004 and 67.2 million tons in 2003.
