In 2013, an additional Br100 billion will be allocated for the modernization of farms in the Vitebsk region.

In 2013, an additional Br100 billion will be allocated for the reconstruction and modernization of dairy farms in the Vitebsk region. The decision was made today at an extraordinary session of the Vitebsk Regional Council of Deputies, according to a BELTA correspondent.

Vladimir Mashero, First Deputy Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee's Agriculture and Food Committee, informed the deputies that the region's dairy industry development program for 2012-2015 envisages the construction of over 100 dairy farms, as well as the reconstruction and major overhaul with modernization of 228 dairy farms. A significant amount of work has already been completed, but to finalize the program, an additional Br100 billion needs to be allocated from the regional budget. Vladimir Mashero explained the need for financial resources by the necessity to equip farms with milking parlors and the increased cost of construction work.

According to him, the implementation of the regional dairy industry development program will allow for an increase in milk production to 1397.5 thousand tons by 2015, and an increase in the supply of milk raw materials to processing enterprises to 1310 thousand tons. Moreover, each additional kilogram of milk produced can be supplied for export in the form of dairy products. The realization of production potential can be achieved through a set of organizational and technological measures to complete the phased specialization of agricultural organizations and transition to industrial, intensive technologies. In 2013, the region plans to produce 1.5 million tons of grain, 940 thousand tons of milk, and sell 228 thousand tons of livestock and poultry.