Boris Efremov: The percentage of young specialists staying in agricultural enterprises of the Vitebsk region is steadily growing
Another chapter in the long chronicle of the Vitebsk region's agro-industrial complex is coming to a close. Have the villagers managed to fully realize their potential and achieve the desired production indicators? What has the industry advanced in, what has yielded results, and what deadweight needs to be shed?
We asked Boris EFREMOV, Deputy Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, to answer these and other questions for "SG".
— This year is not the most favorable for our region, and indeed for the whole country. Therefore, we are meeting our upcoming professional holiday with a tinge of sadness. We invested considerable material costs and colossal human efforts, but we could not achieve the expected results in crop production: the grain harvest deficit compared to last year was 25 percent. These are the consequences of unfavorable weather conditions. At the same time, it should be noted that the villagers tried to do everything possible to minimize losses.
The gross grain and leguminous crop yield exceeded 780 thousand tons in bunker weight. The average yield for the region is 25.3 centners per hectare, which is 5.8 centners less than last year. At the same time, taking into account corn harvested for grain, the gross yield reached 830 thousand tons.
Hopes for a rich corn harvest were also not met. In 2020, 8.4 thousand hectares were harvested for grain, yielding 59 thousand tons with an average yield of 70 centners per hectare. This year, the sown areas are the same, but the harvest was only 47 thousand tons.
At the same time, I must note that good results were achieved in many positions, and the repetition of 2018, when the lowest harvest in the last five years was recorded, was avoided. For example, rapeseed oilseeds yielded over 98 thousand tons with an average yield of 14.7 centners per hectare. Potatoes yielded 307 centners per hectare. This is the best result in the country – a good reason to be proud, wouldn't you agree?
In recent years, we have strongly recommended that farmers cultivate winter rapeseed. It is not only an early, high-protein green fodder for animals but also a profitable crop for oilseed production. Its advantages have been proven this unfavorablea successful agricultural season: the gross harvest of oilseeds remained at last year's level. In a number of agricultural enterprises, the yield exceeded 20 centners per hectare.
The total gross harvest of cruciferous crops (rapeseed and colza) is 104 thousand tons with an average yield of 13.8 centners per hectare. Among agricultural organizations, the highest rapeseed yields were achieved by "Mazovolagaz" of Vitebsk district (28.8 centners per hectare), "Goryany-Agro" branch of Polotsk district (26.6), "Yubileiny" agro-combine of Orsha district (25.6), and "Novoselki-Luchai" of Postavy district (24.8).
Cruciferous crops are highly profitable. In particular, rapeseed is very responsive to good care. And where the technology is followed, and the entire complex of care works is provided, profitability reaches up to 50 percent. The same result is obtained when growing winter colza, although the costs are several times lower. Therefore, we intend to continue increasing the winter acreage of cruciferous crops. For the 2022 harvest, 78.6 thousand hectares were sown, or 142 percent of the plan.
— Boris Sergeevich, if we look at the districts as leaders and outsiders, what picture will we see?
— In terms of gross grain harvest, the leaders are Orsha and Vitebsk, having threshed 108.8 and 94.9 thousand tons, respectively. Among the districts with a soil fertility score above 28, they have the best result, while Sharkovshchyna and Chashniki districts are also leading, but from the bottom of the rating table so far.
If we talk about districts with a lower fertility score, the palm of victory goes to Verkhnedvinsk and Polotsk, and the lowest grain yield per fertility-hectare is in Braslav and Rossony districts.
— Has the crop shortfall affected the fulfillment of the state order, and can the current deficit affect the reduction of production volumes in animal husbandry?
— The task for grain supplies for state needs in the amount of 130 thousand tons was fulfilled on time. The availability of the necessary amount of grain on farms is under control. However, I would like to note that for cattle, high-quality forage crops are primarily important. This year, less of them were harvested than planned, but taking into account the carry-over stocks, there will be enough for the winter stall period. Importing feed from outsideregions do not intend.
— Every second agricultural enterprise in the Vitebsk region is, in effect, part of agroholdings. What preferences does integration offer, and does it promise success?
— It doesn't just promise, it guarantees. Of course, it requires a lot of hard work, but the result is worth it.
In accordance with Decree No. 70 "On the Development of the Agro-Industrial Complex of the Vitebsk Region," seven agro-industrial associations have been created based on OJSC "Verkhnedvinsk Dairy and Canning Plant," "Vitebsk Meat Packing Plant," "Moloko" of Vitebsk city, "Postavy Dairy Plant," UP "Gluboksky Dairy and Canning Plant," "Orsha Meat Packing Plant," "Polotsk Dairy Plant." Over 100 farms are included in their structure.
One of the main advantages is the deferral of creditor obligations, which has allowed agricultural enterprises to start with a clean slate. In turn, the task of meat packing plants, dairy plants, and grain processing plants is to boost the agro-industrial complex through their existing resources and the implementation of new technologies. They must act as a single mechanism, as links in the same chain.
The success of cohesive teams largely depends on the effectiveness of their work, primarily of the rural workers, and on the quality and quantity of crop and livestock production obtained.
— The striking force of agro-industrial associations is the mechanical detachments. Can it be said that thanks to them, the pace and quality of fieldwork have significantly increased in recent years?
— Currently, there are approximately 6.3 thousand tractors in the region's farms, including 1.2 thousand high-power tractors with an engine capacity of 250 horsepower or more, 1.3 thousand combine harvesters, and 510 forage harvesters, as well as other necessary agricultural machinery.
As for the agro-industrial associations, over the past six years, 2.2 thousand units of agricultural machinery have been purchased to replenish their machine and tractor fleet, including 642 tractors, 215 combine harvesters, and70 forage harvesters. These costs are justified. The latest equipment allows for adherence to technology and the completion of agricultural work within optimal agro-technical deadlines for both crop sowing and fodder harvesting, and grain harvesting. Currently, mechanized detachments are assisting agricultural organizations in plowing stubble and hauling organic fertilizers. In some agricultural enterprises, they perform over 50 percent of all types of agricultural work.
— Such close interaction contributes to the efficient use of available resources and increases the pace and quality of work. This means that costs and production costs can be reduced, which, as I understand it, is vital for exporters, for example.
— Absolutely. Moreover, this year the market conditions for them are favorable in both near and far abroad markets, and we simply cannot miss this window of opportunity. The geography of export supplies includes 28 countries. The expansion of sales markets compared to January-September 2020 was achieved through supplies to Tajikistan, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Lebanon, Pakistan, Singapore, and Japan.
In general, the volume of supplies to foreign markets has more than doubled: from 6.6 million dollars in January-September 2020 to 14 million dollars in the same period this year. Cooperation with the PRC is developing particularly dynamically. In 2021, the volume of supplies to the Chinese market increased 3.4 times, making it the second-largest market after Russia.
By the way, according to the results of the first nine months, the volume of exports to the Russian market exceeded 136 million dollars, with the share of supplies in the total export volume being 82.7 percent, and the growth rate compared to the same period last year was 111.5 percent.
— It is no secret that the region's agricultural enterprises are experiencing a shortage of specialists. How is the work on retaining personnel in rural areas being carried out? Is it true that by the end of the year, additional financial assistance for young livestock breedersWill a large sum be allocated from the regional budget to Vitebsk region farmers?
— Indeed, the issue of attracting and training qualified personnel remains unresolved. It is relevant for many sectors of the economy and is acutely felt in agriculture. This is due to the aging of staff, their turnover, and partly the unwillingness of young people to live and work in rural areas.
At the same time, farms primarily need highly qualified specialists who can work with complex equipment, are willing to introduce innovative ideas into the process, and are responsible for the assigned work. There are certain specialties for which there is an annual demand. These are veterinarians, zootechnicians, agronomists, accountants, tractor drivers-machinists, and milking machine operators.
An important factor is the salary level, which is ensured, among other things, by the decisions of the regional executive committee on additional financial incentives for the most in-demand personnel in the agro-industrial complex – veterinarians and zootechnicians.
In addition to salary, monthly payments of one thousand rubles from the regional budget have been made since March 2021. In total, the sum of payments amounted to 260 thousand rubles. These funds will be received by specialists for three years upon conclusion of a five-year contract and in the absence of disciplinary actions.
— In your opinion, what can be called a litmus test characterizing the successful development of the agro-industrial complex?
— The level of retention of young specialists with higher education in rural areas. And this indicator in the region is increasing annually. For example, compared to last year, it is almost 5 percent. This is a good result, indicating the right strategy for further development. The number of young specialists working in rural areas is growing.
The introduction of highly effective technologies, the improvement of farming culture, and the reduction of production costs are integral conditions for the development of the region's agro-industrial complex and the enhancement of its image. But we should not forget about long-tested technologies and the experience of previous generations. By skillfully combining traditions and innovations, we will be able to achieve high resultsультатов.
"SB"
We asked Boris EFREMOV, Deputy Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, to answer these and other questions for "SG".
— This year is not the most favorable for our region, and indeed for the whole country. Therefore, we are meeting our upcoming professional holiday with a tinge of sadness. We invested considerable material costs and colossal human efforts, but we could not achieve the expected results in crop production: the grain harvest deficit compared to last year was 25 percent. These are the consequences of unfavorable weather conditions. At the same time, it should be noted that the villagers tried to do everything possible to minimize losses.
The gross grain and leguminous crop yield exceeded 780 thousand tons in bunker weight. The average yield for the region is 25.3 centners per hectare, which is 5.8 centners less than last year. At the same time, taking into account corn harvested for grain, the gross yield reached 830 thousand tons.
Hopes for a rich corn harvest were also not met. In 2020, 8.4 thousand hectares were harvested for grain, yielding 59 thousand tons with an average yield of 70 centners per hectare. This year, the sown areas are the same, but the harvest was only 47 thousand tons.
At the same time, I must note that good results were achieved in many positions, and the repetition of 2018, when the lowest harvest in the last five years was recorded, was avoided. For example, rapeseed oilseeds yielded over 98 thousand tons with an average yield of 14.7 centners per hectare. Potatoes yielded 307 centners per hectare. This is the best result in the country – a good reason to be proud, wouldn't you agree?
In recent years, we have strongly recommended that farmers cultivate winter rapeseed. It is not only an early, high-protein green fodder for animals but also a profitable crop for oilseed production. Its advantages have been proven this unfavorablea successful agricultural season: the gross harvest of oilseeds remained at last year's level. In a number of agricultural enterprises, the yield exceeded 20 centners per hectare.
The total gross harvest of cruciferous crops (rapeseed and colza) is 104 thousand tons with an average yield of 13.8 centners per hectare. Among agricultural organizations, the highest rapeseed yields were achieved by "Mazovolagaz" of Vitebsk district (28.8 centners per hectare), "Goryany-Agro" branch of Polotsk district (26.6), "Yubileiny" agro-combine of Orsha district (25.6), and "Novoselki-Luchai" of Postavy district (24.8).
Cruciferous crops are highly profitable. In particular, rapeseed is very responsive to good care. And where the technology is followed, and the entire complex of care works is provided, profitability reaches up to 50 percent. The same result is obtained when growing winter colza, although the costs are several times lower. Therefore, we intend to continue increasing the winter acreage of cruciferous crops. For the 2022 harvest, 78.6 thousand hectares were sown, or 142 percent of the plan.
— Boris Sergeevich, if we look at the districts as leaders and outsiders, what picture will we see?
— In terms of gross grain harvest, the leaders are Orsha and Vitebsk, having threshed 108.8 and 94.9 thousand tons, respectively. Among the districts with a soil fertility score above 28, they have the best result, while Sharkovshchyna and Chashniki districts are also leading, but from the bottom of the rating table so far.
If we talk about districts with a lower fertility score, the palm of victory goes to Verkhnedvinsk and Polotsk, and the lowest grain yield per fertility-hectare is in Braslav and Rossony districts.
— Has the crop shortfall affected the fulfillment of the state order, and can the current deficit affect the reduction of production volumes in animal husbandry?
— The task for grain supplies for state needs in the amount of 130 thousand tons was fulfilled on time. The availability of the necessary amount of grain on farms is under control. However, I would like to note that for cattle, high-quality forage crops are primarily important. This year, less of them were harvested than planned, but taking into account the carry-over stocks, there will be enough for the winter stall period. Importing feed from outsideregions do not intend.
— Every second agricultural enterprise in the Vitebsk region is, in effect, part of agroholdings. What preferences does integration offer, and does it promise success?
— It doesn't just promise, it guarantees. Of course, it requires a lot of hard work, but the result is worth it.
In accordance with Decree No. 70 "On the Development of the Agro-Industrial Complex of the Vitebsk Region," seven agro-industrial associations have been created based on OJSC "Verkhnedvinsk Dairy and Canning Plant," "Vitebsk Meat Packing Plant," "Moloko" of Vitebsk city, "Postavy Dairy Plant," UP "Gluboksky Dairy and Canning Plant," "Orsha Meat Packing Plant," "Polotsk Dairy Plant." Over 100 farms are included in their structure.
One of the main advantages is the deferral of creditor obligations, which has allowed agricultural enterprises to start with a clean slate. In turn, the task of meat packing plants, dairy plants, and grain processing plants is to boost the agro-industrial complex through their existing resources and the implementation of new technologies. They must act as a single mechanism, as links in the same chain.
The success of cohesive teams largely depends on the effectiveness of their work, primarily of the rural workers, and on the quality and quantity of crop and livestock production obtained.
— The striking force of agro-industrial associations is the mechanical detachments. Can it be said that thanks to them, the pace and quality of fieldwork have significantly increased in recent years?
— Currently, there are approximately 6.3 thousand tractors in the region's farms, including 1.2 thousand high-power tractors with an engine capacity of 250 horsepower or more, 1.3 thousand combine harvesters, and 510 forage harvesters, as well as other necessary agricultural machinery.
As for the agro-industrial associations, over the past six years, 2.2 thousand units of agricultural machinery have been purchased to replenish their machine and tractor fleet, including 642 tractors, 215 combine harvesters, and70 forage harvesters. These costs are justified. The latest equipment allows for adherence to technology and the completion of agricultural work within optimal agro-technical deadlines for both crop sowing and fodder harvesting, and grain harvesting. Currently, mechanized detachments are assisting agricultural organizations in plowing stubble and hauling organic fertilizers. In some agricultural enterprises, they perform over 50 percent of all types of agricultural work.
— Such close interaction contributes to the efficient use of available resources and increases the pace and quality of work. This means that costs and production costs can be reduced, which, as I understand it, is vital for exporters, for example.
— Absolutely. Moreover, this year the market conditions for them are favorable in both near and far abroad markets, and we simply cannot miss this window of opportunity. The geography of export supplies includes 28 countries. The expansion of sales markets compared to January-September 2020 was achieved through supplies to Tajikistan, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Lebanon, Pakistan, Singapore, and Japan.
In general, the volume of supplies to foreign markets has more than doubled: from 6.6 million dollars in January-September 2020 to 14 million dollars in the same period this year. Cooperation with the PRC is developing particularly dynamically. In 2021, the volume of supplies to the Chinese market increased 3.4 times, making it the second-largest market after Russia.
By the way, according to the results of the first nine months, the volume of exports to the Russian market exceeded 136 million dollars, with the share of supplies in the total export volume being 82.7 percent, and the growth rate compared to the same period last year was 111.5 percent.
— It is no secret that the region's agricultural enterprises are experiencing a shortage of specialists. How is the work on retaining personnel in rural areas being carried out? Is it true that by the end of the year, additional financial assistance for young livestock breedersWill a large sum be allocated from the regional budget to Vitebsk region farmers?
— Indeed, the issue of attracting and training qualified personnel remains unresolved. It is relevant for many sectors of the economy and is acutely felt in agriculture. This is due to the aging of staff, their turnover, and partly the unwillingness of young people to live and work in rural areas.
At the same time, farms primarily need highly qualified specialists who can work with complex equipment, are willing to introduce innovative ideas into the process, and are responsible for the assigned work. There are certain specialties for which there is an annual demand. These are veterinarians, zootechnicians, agronomists, accountants, tractor drivers-machinists, and milking machine operators.
An important factor is the salary level, which is ensured, among other things, by the decisions of the regional executive committee on additional financial incentives for the most in-demand personnel in the agro-industrial complex – veterinarians and zootechnicians.
In addition to salary, monthly payments of one thousand rubles from the regional budget have been made since March 2021. In total, the sum of payments amounted to 260 thousand rubles. These funds will be received by specialists for three years upon conclusion of a five-year contract and in the absence of disciplinary actions.
— In your opinion, what can be called a litmus test characterizing the successful development of the agro-industrial complex?
— The level of retention of young specialists with higher education in rural areas. And this indicator in the region is increasing annually. For example, compared to last year, it is almost 5 percent. This is a good result, indicating the right strategy for further development. The number of young specialists working in rural areas is growing.
The introduction of highly effective technologies, the improvement of farming culture, and the reduction of production costs are integral conditions for the development of the region's agro-industrial complex and the enhancement of its image. But we should not forget about long-tested technologies and the experience of previous generations. By skillfully combining traditions and innovations, we will be able to achieve high resultsультатов.
"SB"