According to the first deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food of the Republic of Dagestan Sharip Sharipov, the area of open sands in the republic has increased to 150 thousand hectares: "The other 150 thousand hectares are in the zone of high risk".

The top official pointed out that the government undertake additional measures to combat desertification: almost complete withdrawal of cattle from winter pastures has been provided, effective control of locust pests is organized, work on optimization of cattle load on pastures is carried out.

The official believes that a specialized state program is needed to protect and improve pastures, which cover an area of 2.6 million hectares in Dagestan in order to protect the land from desertification.