Agro-industrial complex dynamics, Forum of Regions highlights, and domestic vaccine. President convenes meeting on Vitebsk region development

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko held a meeting on pressing issues of the Vitebsk region development. The range of topics is broad - from the progress of the harvesting campaign and the state of affairs in the agro-industrial complex as a whole to the preparation for the upcoming 2024 Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia and the production of domestic vaccines and medicines.

Among the participants of the meeting are Chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus, Plenipotentiary Representative of the Head of State in the Vitebsk Region Vladimir Andreichenko, Chairman of the State Control Committee Vasily Gerasimov, Deputy Prime Minister Leonid Zayats, Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration Maxim Ermolovich, Chairman of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus Vladimir Gusakov, Head of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sergey Bartosh, Minister of Finance Yuri Seliverstov, Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee Alexander Subbotin, Aide to the President of Belarus - Inspector for the Vitebsk Region Igor Brylo, Deputy Minister of Health Boris Androsyuk, Director of the Republican Scientific and Practical Center for Epidemiology and Microbiology Vladimir Gorbunov.

On harvesting and fodder procurement

"One of the hottest (issues. - Editorial note) is harvesting and fodder procurement. A month ago, at a conference call, we discussed all the pressing issues and made the necessary decisions on both harvesting and specifically for the regions, including Vitebsk. However, a number of problems remain: over a third of the areas in Vitebsk Oblast have not yet been harvested, the grain yield is significantly lower than last year's, and fodder procurement is also below last year's level," Alexander Lukashenko noted.

The Head of State drew attention to the fact that there are indeed objective factors in the form of drought that the regional leadership can refer to, but this situation was not everywhere: "Half was dried out, half had normal crops. It was necessary to compensate for the shortfall in harvest in the drought-stricken areas with a good harvest, for example, in the western regions."

The President asked the chairman of the regional executive committee to report on the preliminary results of the harvesting campaign. Alexander Lukashenko noted that the harvesting of many other crops, including corn, is still ahead, and this crop can be used to compensate for the shortfall in cereal grains.

On the most important stage that is yet to come

"We need to assess the performance of the agro-industrial complex of Vitebsk region as a whole. And if Vitebsk region or other regions of our country have fallen short in terms of grain crops, rapeseed, we have excellent corn. I warned the Deputy Prime Minister and the new Minister of Agriculture that a very difficult and important stage is ahead – to prepare for and harvest the corn. Especially for grain. The corn is standing better than ever, an excellent harvest. And I am confident that if we harvest it all, we can get another two million tons of corn grain," the Belarusian leader stated.

However, he warned that it is not worth simply chasing grain harvesting figures; the approach to corn harvesting should take into account local needs: "Whether to harvest corn for grain or for silage is your business. Do not chase after just getting grain. If a good cob has formed, then corn silage will also be very good. Especially for the Vitebsk region. And for others too."

Alexander Lukashenko

On the situation in the agro-industrial complex of Vitebsk region and problematic issues

Speaking about the situation directly in the agro-industrial complex of Vitebsk region, Alexander Lukashenko recalled that more than three years ago, Decree No. 70 was issued – the region received significant state support in the form of debt write-offs, deferral of obligations for 15 years, and so on.

"Remember our conversation - tough, man-to-man. We have repeatedly reviewed the results of the Vitebsk agro-industrial complex's work, including at field meetings. The current governor gave assurances that an increase in efficiency would be ensured. It is clear that there is no turning back for the Vitebsk region, nor for Mogilev, nor for Gomel, nor for others," the President of Belarus noted. - Today we see some positive shifts: the region's agriculture as a whole shows positive dynamics, milk production and milk yield per cow are growing (if there are no feeds, this dynamic will collapse). This is extremely insufficient. We have plenty of problems."

For example, the number of cattle and livestock production is decreasing, there is a shortage of raw materials, and the capacities of meat processing plants are underutilized. "They are only a third utilized. Dairy enterprises are utilized at 70%. There is room to grow and places to process raw materials - milk and meat," the President said.

He also drew attention to the weak discipline of settlements for supplied agricultural products. "This is unacceptable! If an enterprise does not have the money to pay the peasants - pay from the budget. Sit without salaries yourselves, but return the money to the people. Especially for the supplied milk and meat," the head of state demanded.

"The saddest thing is that we are not settling accounts, including with the population, from whom we receive systematic complaints," Alexander Lukashenko noted.

He asked the head of the region to report on what reserves he sees and how he plans to finish the year.

About the highlights of the Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia

One of the topics of the meeting was the preparation for the XI Forum of Regions of Belarus and Russia, which will be held in Vitebsk in the summer of 2024.

"We must approach the preparation with the utmost seriousness. I know that the general idea of the event has been proposed - science and innovation for the economic development of the union. We have something to offer our partners (the success of TIBO-2023 is proof of this) and something to borrow from our Russian colleagues in science," the head of state emphasized.

Alexander Lukashenko noted that the upcoming Forum is another platform for new business ideas: from innovative developments to the conclusion of major contracts. "We need to report on the developed concepts, plans for organization, and our unique features that we are ready to present to the people. Perhaps it is time to invite partners from other countries to participate?" he suggested.

On the domestic vaccine and further plans

"The main issue with which we will begin our work is the implementation of a crucial project: the creation of a domestic antiviral vaccine at BelVitunipharm. This issue is important for us also because the governor of the Vitebsk region, a specialist in this field, promised me to get involved in this matter. Funds for the project financing were allocated in the budget and the innovation fund. According to the plan, the construction of the plant should be completed this year. As I am being informed, the first stage is behind us, and an experimental batch of the vaccine has been released," the head of state noted.

Alexander Lukashenko recalled that vaccine production technologies for animals have already been mastered in the Vitebsk region - the existing experience can be used in the creation of drugs for humans.

"The technologies developed here can be widely used by us in the future for the production of other vaccines and medicinal products," the Belarusian leader specifically emphasized.

The President inquired about the quality of the Belarusian drug received, its effectiveness, and the timeframe for meeting the country's vaccine needs. "For now, we are essentially vaccinating with a foreign product," he noted. "By the way, I am publicly warning the Ministry of Health that we will deal with systemic cases of falsification and mismanagement during the population vaccination process, as identified by the State Control Committee, in the harshest manner."

The Head of State also asked for a report on the progress of the second stage: "Here, we should think about more ambitious plans and expanding the product range, so as not to be limited to one vaccine. As I am informed, there is a promising proposal for the production of anti-cancer drugs for the treatment of blood diseases. This is a very important area. How are these plans linked to the implementation of my instruction on creating a biotechnology cluster?"

The answer to this question was a report by the Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Alexander Subbotin. He announced that the Concept of the National System for Ensuring Biological Safety had been developed and approved, and tasks for strengthening intersectoral cooperation and coordinating the work of all services related to this issue had been defined. A situation headquarters has been established on the basis of a working interdepartmental group under the government, the work of which is coordinated by the Ministry of Health and the Council under the Council of Ministers.

"BELTA"