Chairman of the Vitebsk region Nikolai Sherstnev checked the readiness of agricultural organizations for sowing
The delayed spring is slightly slowing down the start of fieldwork; the soil is not yet ready. It is necessary to wait 7-10 days, which is acceptable in principle to meet optimal agro-technical deadlines. However, sowing must be completed by May 1st. Every nuance is important in agriculture. Starting later means a reduced harvest. The head of the region specifically emphasized the main point – the culture of farming, so that the fields are pleasingly well-maintained, and the seeds are sown in fertilized and well-prepared soil.
Deputy Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee Boris Efremov presented the figures. Funds have been allocated for the purchase of mineral fertilizers. The supply of nitrogen-containing fertilizers is 30%, which is sufficient for the first top dressing. Of the required 9300 tons, 1300 tons of fuel and lubricants have already been received by agricultural organizations in the region; 4.4 million tons of organic fertilizers have been applied (5.3 million tons are needed); 90% of the machinery is ready; the issue of machine operators has been resolved. Industrial enterprises and organizations will send 500 people and 160 units of equipment to assist rural workers.
Vasily Cherednik, Director of UP Rudakovo, while greeting the regional and district leadership, did not fail to note that the agricultural enterprise is generally provided with seed material, with only elite seeds remaining to be purchased. There is no accumulated organic fertilizer on the farms: out of 193 thousand tons, 176 thousand tons have been applied to the fields. In the three production sites – "Vymno", "Poludetki", "Rudakovo" – about 100% of the machinery has been repaired and made ready for operation. "About" because some of it is currently used for other types of work.
The area for spring and grain legume crops is 3700 hectares; 1800 hectares of corn need to be sown, of which 300 hectares will be for grain, 300 hectares of rapeseed, and 40 hectares of vegetables. For this, as emphasized by Vasily Cherednik, the entire complex of necessary machinery is available, as well as their own machine operator personnel. College students will undergo practical training and be involved in repair and transportation.
The integrated structure of Vitebsk Meat Processing Plant OJSC is also doing well. For the spring sowing campaign, 4 mechanized detachments will be involved here, two will work in Sennensky district, and one each in Shumilinsky district and "Lipovtsy" of Vitebsk district.
All agricultural producers of Vitebsk district, as noted by the Chairman of the District Executive Committee Gennady Sabinich, are in a fighting spirit to meet the sowing campaign. The spring crop area is 27 thousand hectares, and agricultural enterprises have received 20 new energy-intensive tractors. Each farm has a core of machine operators whom the youth look up to. Only 15 machine operators will be involved from outside to assist the villagers.
This season, the grain growers of Vitebsk region plan to harvest at least one million tons of grain. To achieve this, the regional leadership has put in considerable effort and resources; today, there are personnel, equipment, and the desire to work with dedication to reach the goal.