The Vitebsk region has launched the mass start of spring field work

Today, the mass start of spring field work was given in the region. "Last year, we drew firm conclusions: we need to work in two shifts during sowing. Process the soil at night and sow during the day. Two machine operators will work on each high-powered tractor," the head of the region noted. "There is enough equipment, and we want to introduce lands into crop rotation that have not been used in recent years. If everything works out, we will add about 150 thousand hectares of land."

As reported, in order to develop the region's agro-industrial complex and ensure its effective functioning, Decree No. 320 was adopted. In the course of its implementation, 4 integration structures were created in the region on the basis of open joint-stock companies "Vitebsk Meat Packing Plant", "Polotsk Grain Processing Plant", "Glubokoye Feed Mill", "Orsha Grain Processing Plant", uniting agricultural raw material producers (68 agricultural organizations), processing and sales of final products. "The fields of the Vitebsk integration structure are located in 8 districts, covering about 73 thousand hectares of arable land. The other associations are approximately the same. All of them are equipped with modern machinery. There are fertilizers and fuel. If everything is done correctly, we will get a good harvest. We have the right to count on it," emphasized Nikolai Sherstnev.

Answering a question about the approximate deadlines for completing the sowing campaign, the head of the region noted that the integration structures are capable of doing this in a record short time: "The technical park allows our agroholdings to carry out grain sowing

for cereals and legumes within 10 days. But much will also depend on the weather."

After completing the work on their fields, the equipment of the integration structures will be transferred to other farms. "It will go to those districts that are significantly lagging in terms of technical equipment: to Rossonsky, Ushachsky, Sharkovshchinsky districts. Everything will be done to complete the entire complex of work within the optimal timeframe, by May 9," the head of the region shared.

Among those who went to the sowing campaign today is a machine operator with forty years of experience, Alexander Kolpakov. His mother cultivated virgin lands in the 1960s (she was a tractor driver), and his father worked as a driver. "And I've been working with machinery in the village all my life. This is my calling. It all started in childhood. I used to get up early to visit the machine yard or the farm before school. My older friend worked on a tractor, and I used to help him before school," recalls Alexander Kolpakov. He says he knows everything about machinery, can disassemble and assemble any unit of a tractor or combine with his eyes closed. He jokes that he should learn to fly a helicopter. "Now, the machinery is made for people. Exceptional machinery. It's comfortable and enjoyable to work with. In the morning, when you plow, the earth smells so good... It's a special smell. It cannot be compared to anything. The start of the sowing campaign is always a celebration," emphasized the crop grower. Many young people have joined the Vitebsk integration structure as machine operators. "There are also some who are still 'green'. We will teach them. Those who want to will stay. And idlers have no place here," is convinced Alexander Kolpakov. "A person must love their work, love the land. You can't succeed here without passion. Otherwise, there will be no quality, and therefore, no harvest. And for good work, the salary is decent now. I earn from Br1.5 thousand in the integration structure."

According to the preliminary plan, the total sown area for agricultural crops will be about 800 thousand hectares. Half of the arable land will be allocated to grain and legume crops, with legumes occupying 120 thousand hectares. It is planned to allocate

260.4 thousand ha. Of these, corn will be sown on 70 thousand ha (60 thousand ha for silage and 10 thousand ha for grain), annual grasses will occupy 35.4 thousand ha, perennial grasses - 155 thousand ha. At the same time, at least 100 thousand ha of pure clover should be sown this year. 13 thousand ha are allocated for flax. Potato and vegetable cultivation will be mainly carried out by specialized large-scale agricultural organizations that have the necessary range of machinery and equipment for cultivation, as well as storage facilities.

BELTA.