A private enterprise in the Orsha district has become the country's leading producer of medicinal herbs

Four new well-appointed cottages for young families in the village of Pishchalovo, Orsha District, are planned to be built by OOO "Kalina" – the country's leading company in the cultivation of medicinal plants.

The production, unique for Belarus and located in a rural area, is attracting more and more young people. Several families from the city have exchanged apartments for houses in Pishchalovo and work at the enterprise, receiving good wages. And it, despite economic difficulties, is increasing volumes, expanding areas, and modernizing.

– And this is thanks to the state's support for small businesses, – says the director of "Kalina" Vladimir Murashko. – Thank you to the President for the decrees, thanks to which it is possible to obtain loans on preferential terms. For example, last year we completely updated our machine and tractor fleet – we purchased new equipment worth 4 billion undenominated rubles. We also purchased modern equipment for raw material processing.

Today, the young but very promising small enterprise "Kalina" means 30 jobs, 350 hectares of land, and 840,000 packages annually (630,000 produced in 2015) of medicinal herbal teas, dietary supplements, and herbal teas. The products have attracted interest not only from representatives of domestic trade and pharmacy chains but also from Czechs and Russians. 90% of the raw materials used for the production of aromatic filter bags are from the Pishchalovo fields. Vladimir Murashko plans to expand the land to 500 hectares this year and establish his own fruit and berry garden.

The enterprise is carrying out joint work with VGMU to create medicinal products based on the plants Macleaya and Rhaponticum, as well as improving technological processes, enhancing the culture of production, and creating conditions for high-performance labor.

OOO "Kalina" has twice won the competition "Best Entrepreneurial Structure of Orsha District". Over five years, the growth in production volume has exceeded 300%. For the diversification of production and the development of import-substituting products, OOO "Kalina" specialists have developed technologies for the production of spice and aromatic crops for the food industry.

industry. Plans for the near future include the introduction of new raw material processing technologies and entry into undeveloped markets. An economist by education, deputy of the Pishchalovsky rural council, Vladimir Murashko intends to continue expanding, creating new jobs and helping his native village.

– Over the past decade, Pishchalovo and the entire territory of the rural council have been transformed thanks to Vladimir Viktorovich's commitment to people and his small homeland, – notes Stanislav Koshkin, Chairman of the Orsha District Council of Deputies. – Significant assistance is provided to educational, cultural, and healthcare institutions, as well as to citizens in resolving private issues. This includes landscaping, provision of equipment, labor, and inventory.

Olga LEBEDEVA, photos by the author. "Vitebskiye vesti".