Regional Agricultural Supply: Within six months, Vitebsk region will additionally purchase agricultural machinery for Br39 million
This year, the machinery fleet of agricultural enterprises in the northern region has already been updated by Br8 million. The farms have received five new grain harvesting combines, three forage harvesters, and ten tractors, half of which are high-power. Primarily, these machines are acquired by enterprises through leasing on favorable terms. In the next six months, agricultural machinery worth Br39 million will be additionally purchased in the Vitebsk region.
As noted by the regional agricultural department, the farms have enough machinery to perform all operations, but it needs updating, and the renewal rate is low. According to the norm, it should be at least 10%, but in reality, it is 2.5-3%. Old machinery often requires repairs, and engines and other mechanisms periodically fail. It is significantly inferior to new machinery in productivity, which is increased by precision farming technologies.
Two farms in the Vitebsk region already have new KZS21-24 grain harvesting combines with automatic steering and yield mapping systems. One such combine operates at the "MazolovoGaz" UP "Vitebskoblgaz" agricultural enterprise and the "Yubileiny" agro-combine in the Orsha district. The hydraulic autopilot installed in the machine allows the use of the full header width of 12 meters, increasing productivity manifold. The machine operator no longer controls the steering wheel; the system does it, allowing the person to get less tired and concentrate on other processes. For example, monitoring the header and the onboard computer readings. The combine automatically follows the navigation line. The yield mapping system makes it possible to create spatially oriented yield maps. An agronomist analyzes these maps: comparing grain crop varieties and identifying areas with the highest and lowest yields. Later, using these maps along with data from agrochemical surveys, a map for applying mineral fertilizers is created. The program automatically distributes the correct amount and location for fertilizer application.