Regional Executive Committee meeting: Gross grain harvest in Vitebsk region expected to be higher than last year
The meeting discussed the organization of the harvest and sowing of winter crops for the 2023 harvest. Farmers in the northern region will have to harvest grain crops on an area of 367 thousand hectares, cruciferous crops - 72.8 thousand hectares, flax - more than 12 thousand hectares, potatoes - almost 2 thousand hectares, as well as other agricultural crops. To carry out the harvesting of grain and rapeseed, the region plans to use 1160 grain harvesting combines of all makes, including 500 units equipped with attachments for rapeseed harvesting. The combines are almost 97% ready, and by the end of the week this figure should reach 100%.
"The sowing and formation of this year's harvest of all agricultural crops took place in more favorable weather conditions compared to last year, the projected gross grain harvest is 20-25% higher than last year's level. If in 2021 it was 780 thousand tons, then this year 1050 thousand tons are planned. From this year's harvest, it is necessary to supply 112.3 thousand tons of grain, 12 thousand tons of malting barley, and 35 thousand tons of rapeseed oilseeds for state needs," noted Sergey Egorov.
The harvesting of crops, with favorable weather conditions and full readiness of equipment and personnel, is planned to be completed in the Vitebsk region in 22-23 days. The seasonal load per combine will average 310 hectares.
Out of 1160 grain harvesting combines, 119 have been repaired today, with another 41 in progress. Low readiness of this equipment is noted in Beshenkovichi, Dokshitsy, and Lepel districts – less than 95%. For grain transportation, the farms in the region have over 880 units of transport. Executive committees, organizations, and departments will provide additional assistance. Grain cleaning and drying complexes are 95% operational, with repairs on the remaining ones continuing. Regarding human resources, 5220 machine operators are planned to be involved during the harvest period. Missing labor will be supplemented by graduates and trainees from educational institutions, as well as employees from organizations and enterprises. In the Vitebsk region, 221 people are undergoing retraining to operate combines.
As noted by the chairman of the regional agricultural committee, 17 districts of the northern region have started harvesting grain crops. Over 2.3 thousand hectares of grain crops have been harvested, with winter barley accounting for half of this area. "7.8 thousand tons of grain have been threshed, of which 4 thousand tons are winter barley. The average yield is 34 centners per hectare. In six districts, the grain yield exceeds 40 centners per hectare. All districts have started flax pulling. This work in the Vitebsk region is planned to be completed by August 16. Harvesting of winter rapeseed has been completed by 16 out of 20 districts. All regions, except for Verkhnedvinsk, Rossonsky, and Tolochinsky, have joined the harvesting of winter rapeseed," said Sergey Egorov.
As for winter crops, cruciferous crops should be sown by August 25 in the Vitebsk region, barley by September 20, and rye and triticale by September 25. Sowing of winter wheat is planned to be completed by October 1.
Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee Alexander Subbotin recalled the head of state's task to increase the sown areas of winter barley and the responsibility for the work. "Falsification and deception are unacceptable. If someone deceives, they will face a harsh reaction, not only from the regional leadership but also from departments - the prosecutor's office, the State Control Committee, the Ministry of Internal Affairs. We always scold livestock breeders for the culling of cattle, while agronomists remain on the sidelines. From now on, if you haven't weeded on time, haven't re-sown - there will be no uninvolved parties, everyone will be punished. This is our money and our future," emphasized the head of the northern region.
In the organizations of the region, he instructed to ensure close control over deadlines, technology, discipline, and organization of the process: from feeding to drying and storage of the harvested grain. "It is today that the foundations of the future harvest are being laid," added Alexander Subbotin.
BELTA.