Ukraine for today has harvested more than 57 million tonnes of grain, which exceeds the record harvest of 2011, when 56 million tonnes of grain were gathered. Also, on warm days farmers reached a record pace - one million tonnes of grain a day, Minister of Agricultural Policy and Food Mykola Prysiazhniuk told reporters Monday.

"The Ukrainian farmers have overcome a record grain harvest of 2011 at 56 million tonnes. Overall, 57 million tonnes of grain have been already harvested. And this is 94 % of the areas under crops. Due to favorable weather conditions, the farmers have managed to get a record grain harvesting pace - more than 1 million tonnes a day," Prysiazhniuk noted.

The minister said that with such a pace in the near future Ukraine will reach a maximum historical grain harvest - 60 million tonnes.

The official also pointed out that to a large extent the current record harvest is due to increased grain yield capacity. "We cannot be satisfied with what has been already achieved. Our task is to reach 90% of the yield capacity in developed countries. It is necessary to maintain the existing areas.

Of course, this will not happen in a year. However, we are working to promote the further growth and plan to reach the figure of 72 million tonnes of grain by 2020 as projected by the UN," Prysiazhniuk noted.

ukrinform.ua