Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has pledged state support for Deere & Co , the world's largest farm equipment maker, if it makes spare parts in Russia.

"If you could at the first stage move from assembly to localisation, doing production in Russia, we could talk about state support and programmes to stimulate demand for your products in Russia," Putin told Deere Chairman and Chief Executive Samuel Allen.

Deere & Co opened a manufacturing and parts distribution plant near Moscow and said it was prepared to increase investment in the country. The plant will make farm equipment including large tractors and combine harvesters. (Reuters)