President on Vitebsk region's agro-industrial complex: there is positive momentum, but plenty of problems remain
"One of the hottest (issues. - Ed.) is the harvest and fodder procurement. A month ago, at a conference call, we discussed all the acute points and made the necessary decisions on both the harvest and specifically on the regions, including Vitebsk. Nevertheless, a number of problems remain: over a third of the areas in the Vitebsk region are still not harvested, the grain yield is significantly lower than last year, and fodder procurement is also below last year's level," Alexander Lukashenko noted.
The head of state pointed out that there are indeed objective factors in the form of drought, which the regional leadership can refer to, but this situation was not everywhere: "Half was dried up, half had normal crops. It was necessary to compensate for the shortfall in the drought-stricken areas with a good harvest, for example, in the western regions."
The President asked the chairman of the regional executive committee to report on the preliminary results of the harvesting campaign. Alexander Lukashenko noted that the harvesting of many other crops, including corn, is still ahead, and this crop can be used to compensate for the shortfall in cereal grains.
"We need to assess the performance of the agro-industrial complex of Vitebsk region as a whole. And if Vitebsk region or other regions of our country have fallen short in grain crops, rapeseed, we have excellent corn. I warned the Deputy Prime Minister and the new Minister of Agriculture that a very difficult and important stage lies ahead – to prepare for and harvest the corn. Especially for grain. The corn is standing better than ever, an excellent harvest. And I am confident that if we harvest it all, we can get another two million tons of corn grain," the Belarusian leader stated.
However, he warned that it is not worth simply chasing grain harvesting figures; the approach to corn harvesting should take into account local needs: "Whether to harvest corn for grain or silage is up to you. Don't chase after just getting grain. If a good cob has formed, then corn silage will also be very good. Especially for the Vitebsk region. And for others too."
Speaking directly about the situation in the agro-industrial complex of the Vitebsk region, Alexander Lukashenko recalled that more than three years ago, Decree No. 70 was issued – the region received significant state support in the form of debt write-offs, deferred obligations for 15 years, and so on.
"Remember our conversation – a tough, man-to-man one. We have repeatedly reviewed the results of the Vitebsk agro-industrial complex's work, including at field meetings. The current governor gave assurances that an increase in efficiency would be ensured. It is clear that there is nowhere to retreat for the Vitebsk region, nor for Mogilev, nor for Gomel, nor for others," the President of Belarus noted. "Today we see some positive shifts: the region's agriculture as a whole shows positive dynamics, milk production and milk yield per cow are growing (if there are no feeds, this dynamic will collapse). This is extremely insufficient. We have plenty of problems."
For example, the livestock population and production are declining, there is a shortage of raw materials, and the capacities of meat processing plants are underutilized. "They are only a third utilized. Dairy enterprises are utilized at 70%. There is room for growth and for processing raw materials – milk and meat," the President said.
He also drew attention to the weak discipline of settlements for supplied agricultural products. "This is unacceptable! If an enterprise does not have the money to pay the farmers – pay from the budget. Sit without salaries yourselves, but return the money to the people. Especially for the supplied milk and meat," the head of state demanded.
"The saddest thing is that we are not settling accounts, including with the population, from whom we receive systematic complaints," Alexander Lukashenko noted.
He asked the head of the region to report on what he sees as reserves and how the year is planned to be completed.