The Vitebsk Zonal Institute of Agriculture cultivates over 40 elite varieties of grain crops
As Lyubov Kartavenkova, Candidate of Agricultural Sciences and head of the department at the research institution, explained, to avoid even the slightest mixing of varieties and reproductions, special attention is paid to cleaning the combines and the drying complex. For example, after threshing one plot, preparing the combine harvester for the next one can sometimes take two hours.
After cleaning the combine units, mandatory post-harvest field clearing is carried out, and the harvested grain is supplied for fodder. Seeds are grown on almost 1 thousand hectares, with the smallest nurseries being only one and a half hectares.
The yield of winter cereals this year is quite good, with wheat exceeding 50 centners per hectare. Spring crops are worse, affected by drought during the grain filling period. As a result, the ear size is 6-7 cm, whereas it is usually up to 10 cm.
Seeds from VZISKh are sold throughout Belarus. Cereals and legumes usually yield about 2 thousand tons, and crucifers – 300 tons. The institute has a staff of 70 people, including 19 researchers. The department of field and technical support includes 14 machine operators and drivers.
Among them is Viktor Kozlov (pictured above), who has been working at the research institution for five years; before that, he worked at the "Tullovo" experimental farm. Viktor Gennadievich is in his twentieth season operating a combine harvester, and for the last three seasons, his son Evgeny has been assisting him. Evgeny is studying to become a mechanic at the Gorodok Agricultural Technical College and plans to join VZISKh for permanent employment after graduation.
As of yesterday, 65% of cereal and legume crops have been harvested at the institute. On August 20, the digging of seed potatoes will begin; 8 varieties are being grown on 45 hectares.