Alexander Lukashenko paid a working visit to the Tolochin district, the topic of land reclamation was discussed
The head of state visited OJSC "Amkodor-KEZ" – the only manufacturer in Belarus of land reclamation machines and single-bucket hydraulic excavators on crawler and wheeled chassis, as well as trenchers. The plant also produces bulldozers, telescopic loaders, channel cleaners, and mowers.
"This area needs to be developed. It is a profitable area, economically beneficial," said the head of state.
He noted that the relevant equipment is in demand not only in Belarus but also abroad, particularly in Russia.
The President was informed that the enterprise is developing steadily. This applies to both the production facility in Kokhanovo and the "AMKODOR" holding as a whole. A number of import substitution projects are being implemented, including with state credit support. The company plans to increase investments.
In particular, the production facility in the Tolochin district needs additional labor and is ready to hire people. One of the benefits is assistance in resolving housing issues.
"To keep people, there must be housing. And how many apartments are needed now?" Alexander Lukashenko asked. He was told that there are already about 35-40.
The President emphasized that he sees prospects in production, as well as in the settlement as a whole. Moreover, "AMKODOR" production is not the only one here. For example, there is a woodworking enterprise that is implementing a project to produce components for modern wooden house construction. Innovative approaches allow building such houses up to eight stories high.
Alexander Lukashenko drew attention to the demand for the project, including in terms of export potential. With relatively small investments, a good return can be obtained. Again, local raw materials and labor resources are involved, and regional development goals are being implemented.
Alexander Lukashenko: Every inch of land must be used for the benefit of Belarus
The question of whether land reclamation should exist in Belarus is not even up for discussion: every inch of land must be used for the benefit of the country. This was stated by the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko at the plenary session of the republican seminar-meeting on the restoration and use of reclaimed lands.
"Today we are talking about the most important thing - land reclamation. Important because we can no longer delay. We need to get involved and solve this problem, as in wartime. We have everything for this," Alexander Lukashenko emphasized.
The President recalled that this work began in the 70s of the last century and continued for almost 20 years. In scale and significance for Belarus, it was essentially an analogue of the electrification plan for the young USSR.
According to the head of state, colossal forces and resources were invested in this. In Belarus, part of the swamps was turned into arable fields, and agriculture was revived. "Intensification of production and changes in rural life are the two main positive results of this colossal work," stated Alexander Lukashenko.
As of today, the area of reclaimed land in Belarus is 37% of all agricultural land – almost 3 million hectares. The main part, 80%, is concentrated in the Brest, Vitebsk, Gomel, and Minsk regions. "One-third of crop production is generated on these lands, including more than half of the green fodder necessary for animal husbandry. Therefore, the question of whether land reclamation should exist or not in Belarus is not even being discussed today. My strictest requirement remains the same: every inch of such land must be used for the benefit of the country," the President emphasized.
At the same time, the head of state demanded that the financing of these works be carried out, including by the enterprises themselves. "This is justified. Today we are aiming for 8 billion dollars in exports. This means money can be earned. And secondly, you will be developing these agricultural lands with our help in order to recoup these projects later. Therefore, we will finance you to some extent. But you must also participate. Let it be two kopecks, but you must invest. So that you value it," said Alexander Lukashenko.
"In order to set priorities in this direction, to outline strategy and tactics, we are holding our meeting today in an expanded format," he added.
"If you see a market, then it must be done instantly. If this project is needed, we will support it. Houses need to be built," the head of state emphasized. "If it is a normal project, then it must be invested in and built. Moreover, these are jobs, raw materials that we do not always process."
After a detailed report on the state of affairs in the holding and at the enterprise, Alexander Lukashenko visited the production and modernized workshops.
The head of state was also presented with a wide range of manufactured machines, main units and components created within the import substitution program, and demonstrated the operation of land reclamation equipment in practice.
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko, at the plenary session of the republican seminar-meeting on the restoration and use of reclaimed lands, identified four main problems that hinder land reclamation,
First. The head of state stated that 20 districts of the republic have liquidated their organizations responsible for land reclamation. In the Vitebsk region - 5 districts, in the Grodno region - 8 districts, in the Mogilev region - 7 districts.
"Naturally, there was an outflow of employees, especially blue-collar workers. Over 6 years, the number of employees has decreased by 3.5 thousand people, or almost 30%. We won't achieve anything without people," the President noted.
As the inspection showed, land reclamation system enterprises in Novogrudok, Slonim, and Smorgon districts could not use equipment for six months due to the lack of machine operators. "How could this happen?" the head of state exclaimed.
Second. According to Alexander Lukashenko, the wear level of land reclamation equipment is off the charts. There are cases of downtime for up to one and a half years due to repairs. "It's incomprehensible. The most acute situation is in the Vitebsk and Mogilev regions," the Belarusian leader stated.
Third. In recent years, the quality of work has sharply declined, which is natural given such an attitude to the job, the President noted.
"Unseemly examples continue to be revealed in absolutely all regions of the country. At the same time, I must say that all PMCs, I am convinced, know how to do their job well. So do it. Mobilize people. Without iron discipline and order, you will achieve nothing," the head of state stated. "But the height of all this disgrace is the abominable use of reclaimed lands after their reconstruction."
For instance, in two farms in the Postavy district, 60 hectares of land became overgrown after reconstruction. In the Klichev district, 30 hectares of land were reclaimed and abandoned, in Klimovichi - 25, in Novogrudok - 6.
"These are just examples. And how many such abandoned lands are there? Yet, the lands were put in order as a priority, and you abandoned them. Someone must be held accountable for this," Alexander Lukashenko emphasized.
Fourth. The President also drew attention to instances of falsification in the execution of work. According to the Committee of State Control, in organizations of the Ostrovets district, Br36.5 thousand were "earned" through falsification, in Kobrin - Br22 thousand, in Oktyabrsky - almost Br25 thousand.
"And if you calculate properly, the losses will be even greater. Such lawlessness is unacceptable. Not only are you failing to meet plans, not using the land, but you are also covering up your mismanagement with falsifications. If someone has become complacent, as we say, has become hardened, blinded and does not see the conditions in which we live today, the conditions of wartime, believe me, I have enough power to bring the relevant people to their senses," the President warned. "We need to decide together how to increase the volume of work, find sources of funding, and ensure the technical re-equipment of the relevant enterprises. And also - to toughen the accountability for what has been done and what has not been done."
Based on materials from "BELTA"