The Maize Research Institute (MRI, Pyatigorsk) conducted a one-day field program on August 7, 2009 to demonstrate the high yielding varieties of grain maize and the best management practices for maize production.

South Russia is the most important maize producing area in the country. However, Stavropol Krai ranks the 8th place in Russia in terms of maize yield. The yield of this crop averaged 3.93 t/ha in Stavropol Krai in 2008 compared to 3.69 t/ha in the country.

The use of mineral fertilizers in Stavropol Krai in 2008 reached 65 kg of nutrients per hectare of sowing area (data for agricultural enterprises), ranking the 12th place in Russia.

Stavropol Krai is considered as a potential region for future IPNI projects. Dr. Vladimir Nosov, Director, Southern and Eastern Russia, travelled to Pyatigorsk to discuss opportunities for cooperation with both MRI and the Stavropol Research Institute of Agriculture (Mikhailovsk).