Deputy Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee Boris Efremov: production output of agricultural industrial associations in the Vitebsk region increased in January-May

Vitebsk region agro-industrial associations produced Br488 million worth of marketable products in January-May, increasing the production volume growth rate to 114%. This was announced today to journalists by Boris Efremov, Deputy Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, before a working meeting of Nikolai Sherstnev, Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, with the heads of districts and major agro-industrial enterprises of the region on the implementation of Decree No. 70 "On the Development of the Agro-Industrial Complex of the Vitebsk Region". Alexander Subbotin, Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus, also took part in the meeting.

Characterizing the associations' performance based on the results of the five months, Boris Efremov positively assessed their work. "The export growth rate for this period was 119%, or $61 million, revenue from sales - 115%, or Br661 million. Agricultural organizations of the associations performed above last year's level. There is growth in milk production. At the same time, for the first time in June, milk yield per cow per day exceeded 13 kg. The indicator in pig farming has slightly decreased, but in the second half of the year, we expect a recovery in the pig population, and consequently, gross weight gains and production of this product will increase. As for the technical issues of the associations' activities, they are planned to be resolved by August 1. Negotiations with all major creditors have been practically completed, which is yielding results," Boris Efremov said.

According to him, some problematic issues remain concerning compliance with agricultural production technology, livestock management discipline, and herd reproduction. Many of them were then discussed at the meeting. Participants also considered topics related to agricultural work on fodder procurement, modernization, reconstruction, construction of livestock facilities, livestock management, and preparation of AIC organizations for the harvesting campaign.

Based on Decree No. 70, seven agro-industrial associations have been established in the Vitebsk region on the basis of open joint-stock companies "Moloko" (Vitebsk), "Vitebsky Meat Packing Plant", "Verkhnedvinsk Butter and Cheese Factory", "Gluboksky Dairy and Canned Goods Plant", "Orshansky Meat Packing Plant", "Polotsk Dairy Plant", "Postavy Dairy Plant". They include 142 enterprises, 111 of which are agricultural. The total area of agricultural land within them is about 700 thousand hectares, the number of cattle is around 350 thousand, poultry is about 1.5 million, and pigs are almost 100 thousand heads.

BELTA. Photo from the BELTA archive.