Why is it too early to write off Vitebsk region's agriculture? A major interview with Sergey Levkovich
In the project "From the Editor-in-Chief," we discuss the reorganization of agricultural enterprises, an anti-crisis roadmap for Vitebsk region farmers, the construction of palaces for cows, scandalous videos on social media and criticism on TikTok, as well as whether it is really time to write off agriculture in the northern region, with the First Deputy Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee, Sergey Levkovich.
Today, the battle for the harvest, honest and hardworking villagers, selfless heroes working from dawn till dusk for years, fragrant loaves of bread, and extra-grade raw milk coexist in the same information flow. And alongside all this are loud criminal cases for negligence, mismanagement, livestock mortality, fair criticism from the President, and remarks from "experts" from TikTok, who are eager to film an "unfortunate cow in terrible conditions" out of "goodness of heart" or for hype. So, what is the real situation in the agro-industrial complex in the Vitebsk region?
20 days make a difference, but not everything
– Historically, the Vitebsk region has the lowest population density in the country. In addition, the northern region of our country has some of the least fertile lands. The growing season is 20 days shorter than in the southern regions. These 20 days really make a difference. And these are not just words, but average indicators proven by specialists, – says Sergey Levkovich, establishing the basis that sets the conditions for the entire industry in the region.
However, "weather dependence" is not the most pressing problem for farmers, although it is significant. The issue of staffing the agricultural sector requires much more attention and effort.
– I cannot say that everything is so critical with personnel; there are ways to solve this problem too. With the right approach, both urban populations and residents of district centers can work in rural areas. People need to be attracted to agriculture, but we need to create conditions for them. Today is no longer the time when livestock breeders milked into barrels on the linear installations of old farms, and the main means of mechanization was a horse, – emphasizes Sergey Viktorovich. – A modern farmer must have days off and a decent salary. Yes, we will not get away from mass seasonal work during the sowing or harvesting campaign. During this period, maximum concentration and dedication from everyone, and primarily from machine operators, are required. But even under these difficult conditions, the heads of agricultural organizations must take into account the wishes of the individual. This is already an industrial approach to labor organization: everyone has their own defined area, scope, and direction of work; this applies to the veterinarian, livestock specialist, and agronomist.
Loss of losses?
Livestock preservation is one of the most painful issues for animal husbandry. And not only in the Vitebsk region. Reports of animal deaths, especially on a large scale, cause public outcry, indignation, and bewilderment. Why is this happening and who is to blame? Sergey Levkovich is confident that it is important to fight for the life of every calf and that it is necessary to change the situation where hiding losses in the cattle population is considered the norm.
– It is not for nothing that the head of state keeps this issue under control. This is not just about love for animals. This is our economy, our well-being. The government is also concerned about this issue. It is obvious that the veterinary service requires special attention, not only in terms of preservation but also in other quality indicators of animal husbandry. Cattle are the future of agriculture. Our region does not have many highly specialized agricultural enterprises that raise poultry and pigs. However, more than 160 farms in the region are engaged in dairy cattle breeding. And they all differ in financial and economic indicators, which ultimately affect employees' salaries. No preservation – no income. That's the whole point, – noted the first deputy chairman, emphasizing that, unfortunately, for years some managers have practiced concealing animal deaths, and this has become a system. And now, partly with the involvement of law enforcement agencies, this problem is being brought to light, although not everyone likes it.
– No one wants to make things worse. The faster we, farmers, understand that herd preservation needs to be addressed specifically: a calf needs certain conditions, competent care, feeding, vaccination against diseases, if necessary, treatment, the faster we will overcome this difficult moment, – Sergey Levkovich pointed out, adding that the foundation in this process is the people who look after the calves. He said that serious work is being done in this direction.
– We monitor every operator involved in raising young calves. We know their salary level and demand that these people be provided with a decent income. This is not easy work; each calf requires an individual approach. At the same time, physical capabilities, even with great desire, responsibility, and understanding of what needs to be done, are not limitless. In this regard, we track the workload of each person and the number of heads they can handle, – noted the head of the agricultural sector of the Vitebsk region, emphasizing that the conditions for keeping calves are gradually improving. Reconstruction of old premises is underway, new dairy farms (MTK) and calf-raising facilities are being built, and individual houses for young livestock are being purchased. A decision of the regional executive committee has been made to purchase vaccines for cattle at the expense of budget funds, and work is underway to create animal vaccination teams based at veterinary stations and our dairy plants. The use of vaccines and the consumption of veterinary drugs are being monitored.
The recipe for achieving stable and break-even operation, Sergei Levkovich is convinced, does not require high-tech or super-complex solutions. To achieve positive results in animal husbandry, it is necessary to ensure the productivity of the milking herd of at least 16 kg per cow, average daily weight gains at the level of 700 g in each farm, increase discipline, and monitor the implementation of minimum technological requirements for keeping and feeding cattle.
Agrarian Action
A full-length film could be made about the current harvest in the Vitebsk region. About honest and selfless labor, people who truly love their work and are focused on results, about mutual assistance and support, and the ability to find a way out of the most difficult situations. At the same time, special effects and the main plot twists are provided by the heavens.
– This year, we are facing more extreme conditions than ever before. The weather simply does not allow us to harvest the crops quickly and efficiently. The main soil type in the Vitebsk region is loamy, which retains moisture, and the machinery literally gets stuck. Due to waterlogged soils, combines may have to go over the same field several times. We can only return to problematic areas after several days of good weather. Tracked machinery has proven itself well in such conditions, but even this is not a panacea. This season, energy-intensive tractors are widely used in the harvest to provide towing for grain harvesters if necessary. The fact that grain transport vehicles cannot move across the field is also a constraint. To unload the hoppers, tractors are brought to them, or the combine drives up to the truck. All this, accordingly, entails costs: time, fuel, human resources, – explains the expert, adding that during such a difficult period, the villagers are showing themselves to be an excellent team that does not give up, despite everything, and achieves results, with full dedication working alongside specialists attracted from other enterprises.
Everything is being done to collect every grain, it is a real battle for the harvest. We must acknowledge the selfless work of the agrarians; the main words of gratitude and deserved awards will be given at the end of the campaign. The harvest is now in its final stage. Almost 90% of the areas have been harvested.
Unity and mutual assistance in the harvest in the Vitebsk region are felt more than ever. Our agrarians are being helped by colleagues from other regions of the country. To accelerate the pace of harvesting, an additional fifty units of machinery were transferred to nearly a thousand of our own combines from the Minsk, Grodno, and Mogilev regions.
– The harvest is quite good. The yield of winter rapeseed was 92.4 thousand tons, and including spring rapeseed, the gross harvest of this crop reached 104 thousand tons. The state order is in the final stage of fulfillment. The yield of grain crops is almost 32 c/ha, which is 9 c/ha higher than last year, – noted Sergey Levkovich.
Anti-crisis map
Сергей Левкович отмечает, что на Витебщине много толковых управленцев, перспективных агроменеджеров, с которыми планируется дальнейшее развитие отрасли. Они амбициозные, хотят не просто работать, но и добиваться результатов. Практически со всеми руководителями сельхозпредприятий области он знаком лично, имеет представление о потенциале и перспективах возглавляемых ими предприятий. В доказательство своих слов показывает увесистую папку – своеобразную антикризисную карту АПК северного региона. Аналитика собрана по каждому району, сельхозпредприятию, где лидеры или точки роста (сейчас это необязательно финансово успешные предприятия) отмечены зеленым. В красной зоне те, у кого перспективы туманные, и их путь оздоровления – реорганизация.
– Переформатирование и реорганизация сельскохозяйственных организаций неизбежны. Могу сказать, что изменения ждут целый ряд хозяйств. Для каждого такого сельхозпредприятия уже выработаны механизмы дальнейшего существования. В приоритетном порядке мы рассматриваем варианты присоединения к более сильным. Но тут очень тонкая грань, такой процесс не может проходить спонтанно. Детально и досконально всё изучаем перед реорганизацией, чтобы не ухудшить положение и не потерять сильное хозяйство. Работаем точечно. Хозяйства-интеграторы поддерживаем. Прежде всего покупкой новой сельскохозяйственной техники, строительством новых МТК, поддержкой в организации посевных кампаний весной и осенью, топливом и минеральными удобрениями, – объяснил Сергей Левкович, добавив, что изучаются варианты для всех таких инвестхозяйств, в которые целесообразно вкладываться. По каждому собирают и анализируют информацию, сколько есть ферм, сколько комплексов планируют построить, на какую продуктивность выйти, исходя из существующих компетенций. Такая антикризисная карта не догма – всё может меняться, и если в ближайшее время предприятие выйдет из красной зоны, то для него будут искать другие сценарии развития.
Sergey Levkovich notes that there are many competent managers and promising agro-managers in the Vitebsk region, with whom further development of the industry is planned. They are ambitious, they want not just to work, but also to achieve results. He is personally acquainted with almost all the heads of agricultural enterprises in the region and has an idea of the potential and prospects of the enterprises they lead. As proof of his words, he shows a weighty folder – a kind of anti-crisis map of the agro-industrial complex of the northern region. Analytics are collected for each district and agricultural enterprise, where leaders or growth points (currently not necessarily financially successful enterprises) are marked in green. In the red zone are those with unclear prospects, and their path to recovery is reorganization.
– The reformatting and reorganization of agricultural organizations are inevitable. I can say that changes await a whole range of farms. Mechanisms for the further existence of each such agricultural enterprise have already been developed. As a priority, we are considering options for joining stronger ones. But there is a very fine line here, such a process cannot happen spontaneously. We study everything in detail and thoroughly before reorganization, so as not to worsen the situation and not to lose a strong farm. We work on a targeted basis. We support integrator farms. First of all, by purchasing new agricultural machinery, building new livestock complexes, supporting the organization of sowing campaigns in spring and autumn, with fuel and mineral fertilizers, – explained Sergey Levkovich, adding that options are being studied for all such investment farms that are expedient to invest in. For each, they collect and analyze information on how many farms there are, how many complexes they plan to build, what productivity to achieve, based on existing competencies. Such an anti-crisis map is not a dogma – everything can change, and if an enterprise comes out of the red zone in the near future, then other development scenarios will be sought for it.
– It is important to understand that the reorganization of an agricultural enterprise is not its liquidation. The main goals are to preserve the team, scale and optimize production, and improve the financial well-being of both lagging and integrating farms. And in this matter, without support and renewal of the material and technical base, it is impossible to talk about the development and prospects of the agro-industrial complex of the northern region of the country, – the expert emphasized.
When the agro-industrial complex becomes a sector for self-realization
Sergey Viktorovich is confident that the head of the agricultural enterprise plays a key role in the agricultural sector.
– He bears enormous responsibility, and there are very high demands on him from all sides: from the team to managers of various levels. Personally, for me, this category of agricultural workers is a priority. Therefore, a competent farm manager in the region will always be supported in all respects.
The first deputy chairman of the regional executive committee said that many local managers are used to relying on personnel. They say that the processes on the farms are technologically established, they are ready to pay good salaries, but there are no people – specialists. But why then did one manager find six veterinarians for his team at once, while another explains the problems with milk yield and livestock safety by the absence of a veterinarian, while over six years of his work he could not attract and motivate even one specialist to stay at the enterprise?
Sergey Levkovich does not deny that the problem with specialists really exists. Competent zootechnicians, veterinarians, and agronomists are always needed.
– Fundamental tasks are set for the personnel provision of the industry. In the Vitebsk region, where one of the best higher education institutions in the country is located – the Academy of Veterinary Medicine, it is simply unacceptable to make excuses solely for the shortage of personnel. We have a large number of qualified specialists, – believes the first deputy chairman and says that certain progress in this direction has already been made.
– This issue needs to be addressed with a targeted approach. In each district, there are specialists with higher veterinary education who, for example, work in construction, housing and communal services, trade, and other sectors. Even if two or three of them return to work in their specialty at an agricultural enterprise, it is already a good result. There are examples when specialists provide veterinary services under a contract. It is not uncommon today for people to come to the agricultural sector after working in trade or the social sphere. We cannot force anyone to work; people need decent conditions: a clear work schedule, days off, and a salary – and this is already the responsibility of the head of the agricultural enterprise, which, unfortunately, not everyone fully understands.
The composition and quality of his team primarily depend on the manager himself, how he managed to attract young people to the organization, motivate them (not only financially), and inspire them if necessary. The criteria for the effectiveness of an agricultural manager's work are proportional to the number of targeted study placements issued by the farm and the retention of young specialists after mandatory service.
– The main thing is that the aspiring farmer has the desire to work. It is no secret that the level of training of graduates varies; they need to be taught a lot, guided in some areas, and invested in the development of the young person and their competencies, and sometimes a paternal attitude is enough. After all, in addition to working conditions and financial aspects, a crucial component is a respectful attitude towards specialists and all employees. Only then will agriculture become a sector for professional self-realization, – summarizes Sergey Viktorovich.
Building palaces and driving wedges
A significant amount of work needs to be done to modernize livestock housing facilities. Currently, there are a large number of farms, often located at a considerable distance from each other. The President also speaks about outdated "enki" (cow barns shaped like the letter "n") at meetings and practical seminars, thanks to whom modern and high-tech complexes have begun to be called "palaces" in the press. An ordinary person might get the impression that almost royal conditions are required for effective animal husbandry.
– We have about 410 farms, some of which simply need to be demolished. It is practically impossible to organize work there in accordance with modern requirements. Therefore, we are moving towards new forms of livestock organization. We are building modern dairy complexes. We are commissioning new facilities. There is a specific list of agricultural organizations where these works are being carried out or are planned. This year, about 14 dairy complexes are being erected, where the necessary conditions for animal keeping are being created, – explained the expert.
New complexes are not a panacea. The main thing is how effectively they work and what specialists work there. The result depends on the specific person, their qualifications, knowledge, and desire.
– Competency enhancement is already underway, and training is conducted at leading agricultural organizations not only within the region and the country but also abroad, – noted Sergey Levkovich.
"Real estate" for cattle is only one element of successful and economically viable animal husbandry. We should not forget about the prevention and treatment of diseases. Here, by the way, the Vitebsk region is lucky: there is a serious scientific school at the Academy of Veterinary Medicine, and the production of its own veterinary drugs has been established at BelVitunipharm. But, as peasant wisdom has it, a cow's milk is in its tongue. Their productivity largely depends on the cows' diet. Ensuring a complete and balanced diet on our own in conditions of risky, and in the context of the northern region, extremely risky agriculture is a task that, while not star-rated, requires serious effort.
It is not possible to achieve a stable gross grain production volume of 1.1 million tons. Every year we face various cataclysms: sometimes drought, sometimes flooding, sometimes frost damages the crops. And then, harvesting all this without losses when it can rain for weeks is another quest. In such conditions, it is difficult for farmers to work, but even here, a rational approach and competent analytics help to navigate and balance the sown area. Sergey Levkovich noted that the focus should be on winter grains (mainly wheat) and corn. Not everyone manages to "get along" with spring grains in the Vitebsk region; much depends on the weather, so they strive to replace them as much as possible with the queen of the fields.
– I believe that the work we are currently doing will increase efficiency and yield positive results in agriculture. The Vitebsk region has huge reserves. The task of each of us is to conscientiously perform our work. Our people know what needs to be done. And to implement what is guaranteed to yield results is my task, – summarizes the First Deputy Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee.
P.S.
It would seem that after such a programmatic analysis of the most painful points of the agro-industrial complex in the Vitebsk region, one could put a period. But surely there will be readers and subscribers who, in response to all this rhetoric, will start recalling resonant videos about unfortunate cows on forgotten farms, about the dire situation of agricultural enterprise workers, unfair treatment, and negligence of management. The audience loves such footage; they get a decent number of views. The authors of sensational stories pursue different goals: some need hype and activity in the comments, some want to take revenge on a former or current manager, for some it is a cry from the soul.
Does such criticism on social media resonate, and how to respond to it, we also asked Sergey Levkovich.
– Criticism in the information space has been and will be. If the internet is used for manipulation and resolving personal issues – that's one thing. But if the criticism is well-founded, identifies and highlights problems, then however unpleasant it may be, it is beneficial. When it's to the point, it hits very hard. Our people show what is happening in our country. Individual facts cannot but cause outrage. I try to get to the root of the problem: what we need to do to prevent this in the future.