Alexander Subbotin: 'Rural workers have won the battle for the harvest against capricious weather, demonstrating examples of true heroism'

Ahead of the solemn award ceremony for the winners of the regional competition, the Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee, Alexander Subbotin, noted that the work of agrarians is a guarantee of the country's food security and forms one of the important items of Belarusian exports. The sustainable development of the region's economy largely depends on the state of affairs in agriculture.

– The weather anomalies of this year have shown that people of special fortitude work in the Vitebsk region, distinguished by their diligence and dedication to their chosen profession. And this time, the selfless rural workers, demonstrating examples of true heroism, won the battle for the harvest against the capricious weather. The region harvested 1 million 5 thousand tons of grain and rapeseed. The results achieved were the maximum possible under extreme weather conditions, – emphasized the head of the region. – Since the beginning of the spring field work, almost the entire growing season for plants in the region, especially in the western regions, was marked by heavy rains. Due to the waterlogging of loamy soils, machinery could not get into the fields on time. There were also problems for drivers of vehicles transporting grain. It was necessary to involve high-powered tractors and ensure the towing of combine harvesters. Nevertheless, for the first time since 2022, a more favorable year for crop production, the region has overcome the million-ton mark and achieved a grain yield of over 30 centners per hectare – or more precisely, 30.8 centners per hectare.

In terms of oilseed crop harvesting, the 100,000-ton mark has been surpassed for the first time since 2020, and in terms of yield, Vitebsk rapeseed has set its record value – 18.1 centners per hectare.

This year, such qualities as professionalism, competent organization, labor and technological discipline have been particularly evident in machine operators, specialists, and industry leaders. The rural workers have shown themselves to be an excellent team that does not give up under any circumstances and achieves results.

Separately, I would like to mention mutual assistance and support, and the ability to find solutions in the most difficult situations. The solidarity of the agrarians during the harvesting campaign deserves the highest praise. 32 grain harvesters arrived from the Grodno, Minsk, and Mogilev regions to help. In total, their crews harvested more than 9.5 thousand tons of grain. For your support, we say: "Thank you, dear neighbors!".

Alexander Subbotin named a number of agricultural enterprises that demonstrate dynamic success. Among the flagships are SPC "Larinovka" (gross harvest of 11.6 thousand tons with a yield of 82.9 c/ha) and OJSC "Agrokombinat "Yubileiny" (40.6 thousand tons, 63.1 c/ha) of the Orsha district, SHP "MazolovoGaz" of PRUP "Vitebskoblgaz" (5.4 thousand tons, 56.3 c/ha) of the Vitebsk district, SHF "Klevtsy" of KUP "Vitebskobldorstroy" (4.9 thousand tons, 46.3 c/ha) of the Liozno district, OJSC "Khotily-Agro" (11.5 thousand tons, 59.4 c/ha) and "Novoselki-Luchai" (16.3 thousand tons, 46 c/ha) of the Postavy district.

The result of OJSC "Vitebsk Broiler Poultry Farm" was highlighted separately: this year, the gross grain harvest amounted to 61 thousand tons with a yield of 49.1 c/ha. In terms of grain threshed, this enterprise surpassed the performance of 17 districts of the region. Every fifteenth ton in the regional harvest comes from the Vitebsk Broiler Poultry Farm. The enterprise is also a leader in the collection of rapeseed: 9.1 thousand tons were threshed with a yield of 24.6 c/ha.

More than a thousand crews of grain harvesters worked on the harvest. The absolute leader was Maxim Sernov from OJSC "Agrokombinat "Yubileiny", who threshed 4.5 thousand tons of grain and rapeseed on a KZS-2124 "Polesie" combine.

Alexander Subbotin emphasized that respect for the labor of the grain growers is the foundation thanks to which we, our culture, and our spirituality exist. During the preparation for the festival, an expressive image of the city of Chashniki was created. Much has been done to ensure that people have a decent infrastructure, want to work, and that young people create families in their small homeland.

To the "Dazhynki" festival in Chashniki, the issue that concerned many – the repair of the street and road network – was resolved by completely replacing the asphalt concrete pavement on the central and entrance streets. A significant volume of work was carried out on the capital and current repair of residential buildings. The surgical building of the Novolukoml Central Regional Hospital was modernized for the installation of a computed tomography scanner, and the post office was renovated.

– Today we express our gratitude to all the heroes of the harvest, those who, in difficult conditions, with their calloused hands, skill, and selfless labor, produce Belarusian gold, which is bread! – concluded Alexander Subbotin.

"Vitebskiye vesti"