MOSCOW, December 19. /TASS/. Agriculture is one the key sectors of the Russian economy, President Vladimir Putin said at a Q&A session combined with his annual press conference, adding that the program for social and economic development of rural areas has been financed.

"Agriculture is one of the key sectors of the economy of the Russian Federation, its annual growth rate of 3% is solid. <…> There is a program for social and economic development of rural areas. Overall it has been financed," he said, adding that an increase in the level of prosperity of people living in rural areas and an increase in their income are the key tasks of agriculture development.