The readiness of agricultural machinery in the Vitebsk region is close to one hundred percent

Over 53 billion rubles of the agricultural enterprises' own funds are allocated for their repair. They will have to find substantial amounts for fuel procurement. For the sowing campaign, fuel worth 240 billion rubles will be required. Incidentally, banks are releasing 106 billion rubles in preferential loans, of which 17.5 billion rubles have already been utilized. The fuel issue is perhaps the most complex and the most difficult to resolve. It is not surprising that the topic of strict fuel economy is becoming increasingly relevant. Staffing for the sowing campaign is guaranteed: energy-intensive tractors and combined tillage and sowing units will be able to operate in two shifts.

– We are eagerly awaiting the arrival of spring. Due to weather and climate reasons, the sowing campaign in the Vitebsk region will only begin at the end of April, and even then, with intensive snowmelt, – believes Alexey Turkov, Head of the Department of Agriculture, Crop Production, and Fodder Production of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee's Agriculture and Food Committee. – Sowing will have to be carried out under pressure to meet the optimal agro-technical deadlines by May 10. We are also concerned about the quality of the overwintered winter crops. Usually, their loss in the north of Belarus ranges from 10 to 20 percent, although it can reach 50 and above, especially for rapeseed. As soon as the snow melts, we will immediately fertilize the winter crops to help the plants gain strength faster.

Farms in the region have stocked up on seeds (not lower than the second reproduction), are purchasing plant protection products and mineral fertilizers, and are removing organic matter. By April 10, 75 percent of mineral fertilizers have been accumulated (more than last year for the same date), including nitrogen fertilizers – 57 percent of the requirement, phosphorus – 62 percent, and potassium – almost one hundred percent. Wagons with fertilizers continue to arrive in the northern region of the country not only from Belarusian but also from Russian plants.

Ekaterina ANECHKINA. "Vitebsky Rabochy"