Working trip to Minsk Oblast

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The improvement of farming techniques and the efficiency of agriculture will be in the spotlight next year, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said during the working trip to Minsk Oblast where he was informed about the progress in the autumn field work on 29 September.

“Next year we will focus on the efficiently of agriculture and the improvement of farming techniques. It will be a crucial year for us,” the President said.

“Do not wait for lots of money and capital investments. The year is good, earn money. We should inject more money in land reclamation and technical work. We should do our best to put the country in order and to rehabilitate soil,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

Private business in the agricultural industry was also discussed. Kletsk District has had such experience. However, as practice shows, private farmers do not always work in an efficient way and do not use lands in full. Therefore, the President instructed to pay attention to such facts, if there are any, and take measures.

Efficient farming was in the center of attention when the head of state inspected fields with corn and sorghum also known as Sudan grass. It is also used to make silage for animal fodder.


Aleksandr Lukashenko was informed about the nutritional qualities of sorghum. Proposals were made regarding the composition of animal fodder and the results of using various plants in regions. It was mentioned that it is up to Belarusian agrarians to choose what plants to grow depending on local conditions. “So there are options. It is up to a farm director to decide. If the soil is not that rich, a smart director will grow 50-100 hectares of sorghum,” the head of state said.

According to Agriculture and Food Minister Leonid Zayats, the calculations show that it is possible to form a rather low prime cost of milk if only traditional Belarusian fodder crops are used. It is especially relevant for many regions of Vitebsk Oblast where it makes no sense to grow a lot of grain. These regions should better focus on cattle breeding.

“It is necessary to reorganize the structure of arable land there. They should sow less grain. They have not harvested 4,000 hectares yet. Let’s forget about it. It makes no sense to sow crops if we cannot harvest them till October,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. “These are the options. Now you should choose and work.”

The head of state paid special attention to discipline. He stressed that all involved parties should fulfill their tasks. “They know what to do. The main thing is to make people,” the Belarusian leader said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko urged to step up efforts to finish autumn field work. “It is essential to step up efforts and mobilize people. We do not know what the weather will be. There will be no such pressure in two weeks,” the head of state said.

According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, it is possible that farmers relaxed after the grain harvesting. At the same time, agrarians will have to do a lot to finish autumn sowing, harvesting of vegetables and corn. The President was especially concerned about the harvesting of maize for silage.


The President was informed that autumn sowing will be finished in the country by 4 October. However, there are many unsown fields in Vitebsk Oblast. In this context, he said that it is important to comply with agro-technical terms. Aleksandr Lukashenko urged Vitebsk Oblast farmers to do their best to finish field autumn sowing week.

In Kletsk District the head of state visited OAO Kukhchitsy where he was informed about the social and economic development of the enterprise and Kletsk District in general, the results of the grain harvesting campaign and the progress in autumn field work, the procurement of fodder in the region and in Belarus in general.

Aleksandr Lukashenko asked about the fulfillment of his instructions to build hay storage facilities. The head of state was informed that this work is in full swing, and the instruction will be fulfilled in all regions in 2018. The preservation of fruit and vegetables was discussed as well. The President urged to build good storage facilities.

Aleksandr Lukashenko also inspected a potato storage facility where he was informed about the fulfillment of instruction to ensure better conditions for the preservation of potatoes, fruit and vegetables.

The head of state also focused on setting adequate prices for farm products. Dealers and mediators should not capitalize on the labor of farmers.

In OAO Kukhchitsy, the President also inspected the progress in the harvesting of sugar beet. He was informed about the work of Belarusian plant breeders and the experience of using various kinds of this plant. Sugar beet seeds are delivered to Belarus from Italy and Serbia where they are produced with the participation of Belarusian specialists. However, the premises that exist there cannot meet the demand in full. The President instructed to discuss this issue with partners.