DUSHANBE, March 9, Asia-Plus -- This year, Russia intends to purchase vegetables and fruits from Tajikistan twice as big compared to 2005, Asia-Plus has learned at the Tajik Ministry of Agriculture.  

Toshali Muqimov, head of the fruits and vegetables departments of the Ministry of Agriculture, has told Asia-Plus that cold weather caused serious damage to the Russian agrarian sector and Russia intends to increase supplies of fruits and vegetables from Central Asia.  

According to some sources, a damage caused to the Russia’s economy has amounted to 12 billion Russian rubles.  

“Already in May, Tajikistan is ready to export to the Russian Federation 80,000-90,000 tons of potatoes and 100,000-120,000 tons of onions and double fruits-and-vegetables supplies during the year,” Mr. Muqimov said.  

According to him, the ministry of agriculture has already submitted an appropriate report on this subject to the government and this issue will have solved already this week.