Alexander Subbotin: the best result on the land is achieved by the one who strictly adheres to the technology
In Sharkaushchyna, the regional festival-fair of agricultural workers "Dazhynki-2023" was held. And although the agricultural season in the northern region will not end soon, a certain summary can already be made. Journalists did this together with the Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Alexander Subbotin.
— Alexander Mikhailovich, this year has been harsh for our grain growers. Will the harvested crop be enough to meet the region's needs and fulfill the state order?
— Indeed, it can be called a real test of strength. At the start of the season, all necessary measures were taken to achieve good results in crop production. We sowed 131 thousand hectares of spring grain and leguminous crops, 85 thousand hectares of corn for silage, and 50 thousand hectares of annual grasses within optimal agro-technical terms.
Due to weather factors, the gross grain and leguminous crop yield was 40 percent lower than last year. We managed to collect 623.1 thousand tons with an average yield of 24.2 centners per hectare. In 2022, we threshed over a million tons, with an average yield of 30.1 centners per circle. However, last year's conditions, as you recall, were exceptionally favorable to our farmers.
For the state's needs this year, our agricultural organizations must supply 109 thousand tons of grain – less than 20 percent of the volume obtained. At the same time, it is obvious that the harvested crop is not enough to provide concentrated feed for public animal husbandry. A decision has been made to purchase the missing volume of feed grain – about 150 thousand tons – from the Russian Federation.
— Will corn help compensate for the grain shortfall?
— Weather conditions hindered the growth and development of all agricultural crops without exception, including corn. Therefore, many farms took this step: to harvest part of the sown area for grain as green fodder. As a result, the harvested area of corn decreased from 9 to 6 thousand hectares. The expected gross grain yield will be about 30 thousand tons, while last time we threshed 41.6 thousand.
— Has the distribution of harvest leaders changed significantly, and which districts managed to improve despite the weather conditions??
— This year's conditions have once again confirmed that the best result on the land is achieved by those who strictly adhere to technology, widely use the achievements of agricultural science, apply high-yielding crop varieties, and work with high-performance machinery. Therefore, there have been no drastic changes in this regard. Stable high grain yields are achieved in Vitebsk, Postavy, Orsha, Dubrovno, Verkhnedvinsk, and Tolochin districts.
— Are any changes planned in the sowing structure for next year's harvest?
— Recently, nature has been presenting surprises, so it is necessary to draw conclusions and restructure the work of the crop production sector to minimize dependence on weather factors. To achieve this, first and foremost, it is necessary to maximize the areas under winter grains and cruciferous crops, and winter rapeseed. At the same time, the layering of agricultural work should be avoided, ensuring timely technical re-equipment as a mandatory requirement.
— What agricultural work is in focus today?
— The priority is the sowing of winter grain crops; the harvesting of corn, potatoes, open-ground vegetables, buckwheat, the application of organic and mineral fertilizers, and other field work are under control.
— High rates have been achieved in winter sowing. What is the region's stake on these crops?
— Indeed, as of September 28, winter grains have been sown on an area of 155.6 thousand hectares, which is 68 percent of the plan. This is 29 percent higher than last year's level. Traditionally, winter crops yield more than spring grains, so we decided to increase their acreage. If in 2022, 208 thousand hectares of winter grains were sown, this year it is planned to sow 22 thousand more.
— An equally important issue is fodder harvesting. Will it be possible to create the necessary supply, considering the shortfall at the beginning of summer?
— Alexander Mikhailovich, this year has been harsh for our grain growers. Will the harvested crop be enough to meet the region's needs and fulfill the state order?
— Indeed, it can be called a real test of strength. At the start of the season, all necessary measures were taken to achieve good results in crop production. We sowed 131 thousand hectares of spring grain and leguminous crops, 85 thousand hectares of corn for silage, and 50 thousand hectares of annual grasses within optimal agro-technical terms.
Due to weather factors, the gross grain and leguminous crop yield was 40 percent lower than last year. We managed to collect 623.1 thousand tons with an average yield of 24.2 centners per hectare. In 2022, we threshed over a million tons, with an average yield of 30.1 centners per circle. However, last year's conditions, as you recall, were exceptionally favorable to our farmers.
For the state's needs this year, our agricultural organizations must supply 109 thousand tons of grain – less than 20 percent of the volume obtained. At the same time, it is obvious that the harvested crop is not enough to provide concentrated feed for public animal husbandry. A decision has been made to purchase the missing volume of feed grain – about 150 thousand tons – from the Russian Federation.
— Will corn help compensate for the grain shortfall?
— Weather conditions hindered the growth and development of all agricultural crops without exception, including corn. Therefore, many farms took this step: to harvest part of the sown area for grain as green fodder. As a result, the harvested area of corn decreased from 9 to 6 thousand hectares. The expected gross grain yield will be about 30 thousand tons, while last time we threshed 41.6 thousand.
— Has the distribution of harvest leaders changed significantly, and which districts managed to improve despite the weather conditions??
— This year's conditions have once again confirmed that the best result on the land is achieved by those who strictly adhere to technology, widely use the achievements of agricultural science, apply high-yielding crop varieties, and work with high-performance machinery. Therefore, there have been no drastic changes in this regard. Stable high grain yields are achieved in Vitebsk, Postavy, Orsha, Dubrovno, Verkhnedvinsk, and Tolochin districts.
— Are any changes planned in the sowing structure for next year's harvest?
— Recently, nature has been presenting surprises, so it is necessary to draw conclusions and restructure the work of the crop production sector to minimize dependence on weather factors. To achieve this, first and foremost, it is necessary to maximize the areas under winter grains and cruciferous crops, and winter rapeseed. At the same time, the layering of agricultural work should be avoided, ensuring timely technical re-equipment as a mandatory requirement.
— What agricultural work is in focus today?
— The priority is the sowing of winter grain crops; the harvesting of corn, potatoes, open-ground vegetables, buckwheat, the application of organic and mineral fertilizers, and other field work are under control.
— High rates have been achieved in winter sowing. What is the region's stake on these crops?
— Indeed, as of September 28, winter grains have been sown on an area of 155.6 thousand hectares, which is 68 percent of the plan. This is 29 percent higher than last year's level. Traditionally, winter crops yield more than spring grains, so we decided to increase their acreage. If in 2022, 208 thousand hectares of winter grains were sown, this year it is planned to sow 22 thousand more.
— An equally important issue is fodder harvesting. Will it be possible to create the necessary supply, considering the shortfall at the beginning of summer?
— All measures have been taken in the region to carry out the procurement of roughage at a high organizational level. We discuss the progress of this work twice a week via video conference with the participation of the leadership of the regional executive committee and district executive committees.
Also, considering the extremely difficult situation with the provision of roughage for public animal husbandry for the upcoming winter stall period, in August we adopted a set of additional measures aimed at intensifying fodder harvesting.
I would like to note that the situation has improved since then. The lag behind the 2022 level in fodder procurement volumes per conventional head of cattle has decreased from 4.78 centners as of August 24 to 2.45 centners as of September 28. As of this date, 17.05 centners of roughage per conventional head of cattle, in terms of feed units, have been procured in the region.
Attention to this issue remains at a high level. Fodder harvesting continues at an active pace. For this purpose, we are harvesting corn, intermediate crops, and second and third cuttings of grass.
— Alexander Mikhailovich, the foundation of all achievements is primarily human labor. Tell us about the support system adopted in the region to retain staff in the agricultural sector and attract new ones.
Also, considering the extremely difficult situation with the provision of roughage for public animal husbandry for the upcoming winter stall period, in August we adopted a set of additional measures aimed at intensifying fodder harvesting.
I would like to note that the situation has improved since then. The lag behind the 2022 level in fodder procurement volumes per conventional head of cattle has decreased from 4.78 centners as of August 24 to 2.45 centners as of September 28. As of this date, 17.05 centners of roughage per conventional head of cattle, in terms of feed units, have been procured in the region.
Attention to this issue remains at a high level. Fodder harvesting continues at an active pace. For this purpose, we are harvesting corn, intermediate crops, and second and third cuttings of grass.
— Alexander Mikhailovich, the foundation of all achievements is primarily human labor. Tell us about the support system adopted in the region to retain staff in the agricultural sector and attract new ones.
— A comprehensive set of measures is in place, starting with financial support for students and pupils pursuing agricultural specialties under targeted contracts at universities or vocational education institutions. This year alone, employers in the region have signed 131 targeted contracts for training specialists at agricultural higher education institutions.
Most targeted contracts with specific organizations include incentive payments, which, by the way, have increased in recent years (up to ten base units).
Regarding young male specialists who arrive at agricultural organizations in the region, the regional executive committee petitions military commissariats to transfer them from active service to reserve service. To retain veterinary and zootechnical specialists in rural areas, incentive payments are applied to established tariff salaries – an additional 1000 Belarusian rubles per month from the regional budget. The number of such "thousand-ruble" recipients in March 2021 was 23 people, and in August 2023, it was already 71 young specialists.
Also, consider the significant support provided to workers in the agro-industrial sector directly within agricultural organizations in accordance with collective agreements. All of this together yields results, as seen in many farms in the region.
— Thank you, Alexander Mikhailovich, for the interview. We wish the Vitebsk region a successful completion of the agricultural season and a more fruitful future year in the agro-industrial complex.
Most targeted contracts with specific organizations include incentive payments, which, by the way, have increased in recent years (up to ten base units).
Regarding young male specialists who arrive at agricultural organizations in the region, the regional executive committee petitions military commissariats to transfer them from active service to reserve service. To retain veterinary and zootechnical specialists in rural areas, incentive payments are applied to established tariff salaries – an additional 1000 Belarusian rubles per month from the regional budget. The number of such "thousand-ruble" recipients in March 2021 was 23 people, and in August 2023, it was already 71 young specialists.
Also, consider the significant support provided to workers in the agro-industrial sector directly within agricultural organizations in accordance with collective agreements. All of this together yields results, as seen in many farms in the region.
— Thank you, Alexander Mikhailovich, for the interview. We wish the Vitebsk region a successful completion of the agricultural season and a more fruitful future year in the agro-industrial complex.