One of the mechanisms for the development of the agro-industrial complex in the Vitebsk region will be an increase in the salaries of specialists in the livestock industry
A Step Forward
According to Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee Nikolai Scherstnev, the agro-industrial complex of the Vitebsk region currently generates one-third of the gross regional product (excluding oil refining and energy). Over the past five years, the sector's share in the gross regional product has increased 1.6 times.
Every fifth ruble of foreign currency earnings comes from the agro-industrial complex, which exports products to 33 countries and 80 regions of Russia worth about 400 million dollars.
Today, 48,000 people are employed in the sector, which includes 255 agricultural organizations, 386 farms, 45 processing enterprises, nine service enterprises, and 22 land reclamation enterprises, as well as 256 retail outlets of the "Meat and Dairy Products" concern.
Compared to 2013, the added value per employee in the food industry enterprises has increased more than threefold, reaching about 15,000 dollars. The output of marketable products has increased by approximately the same amount. This indicates that employees of the agro-industrial complex, regardless of the circumstances, are honorably fulfilling their duty to society.
In recent years, grain production has remained at the level of 1 million tons, and milk production at 750,000 tons. Almost every region has examples of efficiently operating farms, including SPK "Larinovka" (Orsha district), "Virovlyansky" branch of IP "Detskosselsky-Gorodok" (Gorodok district), SHP "Mazolovo-gaz" UP "Vitebskoblgaz" (Vitebsk district), OJSC "Shaiterovo" (Verkhnedvinsk district), "Vesna-energo" branch of RUP "Vitebskenergo" (Polotsk district).
To develop the agro-industrial complex of the region and ensure its effective functioning, four integration structures were created two years ago, which include agricultural and processing enterprises, and branded trade. During this time, they have increased agricultural production by 22.2%, and commodity production by 1.3 times. In 2017, grain and rapeseed yields increased by almost half.
Upcoming Plans
First and foremost, this involves the creation of large formations based on efficiently operating dairy plants (Postavy, Verkhnedvinsk, Vitebsk). Emphasis will also be placed on diversified enterprises, such as the Vitebsk Broiler Poultry Factory, OJSC "Agrokombinat "Yubileiny" of the Orsha district, SPC "Mayak Braslavsky". They will become production beacons and gradually absorb unpromising farms.
In dairy cattle breeding, the focus is on building farms for 2,000 head. In pig breeding, the construction of four breeding farms is expected; they will provide livestock for existing pig complexes, which will be used as fattening sites. The renovation of rural areas with high-performance and energy-intensive machinery is planned.
Farmers will not be overlooked either. A number of regulatory documents for the development of entrepreneurship, including in agriculture, have been adopted by the Head of State and the government. There are opportunities to obtain preferential loans, compensation for loan interest from the budget, and to acquire machinery and equipment through leasing.
One of the specialization areas for farms, considering the modernization of the Vitebsk Fur Factory and the development of the children's food department at the Orsha Meat Processing Plant, could be sheep farming and beef cattle breeding. The authorities are ready for cooperation and to provide all possible assistance.
Much has been done in recent years for the strategic development of the region. It is no coincidence that the Government of Belarus has created a working group to develop proposals for stabilizing the financial condition and effective development of the agro-industrial complex using the Vitebsk region as an example. Its first meeting was held the other day.
Attracting Specialists
One of the main problems in the agricultural sector remains a shortage of personnel. While the situation with agronomists and engineers is more or less stable, it is exacerbated in animal husbandry. The staffing levels for zootechnicians and veterinarians are 83% and 78% respectively.
Anzhelika Nikitina, Chairperson of the Regional Executive Committee's Economy Committee, spoke about a new remuneration system in animal husbandry designed to attract young and highly qualified specialists to rural areas. Salaries will significantly increase for zootechnicians, veterinarians, artificial insemination technicians, farm managers, and heads of other animal husbandry structural units of farms.
For example, the tariff salary for a chief specialist has been set at 915 rubles, and for a mid-level specialist – 763 rubles. Depending on the livestock size, a farm manager will receive a minimum of 610 – 763 rubles. For every percentage point of production growth, everyone will receive a bonus of up to 150%. If the main quality parameters of work are met, an insemination technician can earn almost 2,000 rubles per month.
In anticipation of the spring field work, the remuneration system for machine operators has been revised and made more flexible. The rate is set per 1 hectare. Taking into account the overfulfillment of the norm, a tractor driver will earn 120 rubles per day for soil preparation, 120 – 150 rubles for sowing, and 100 and 80 rubles or more respectively for cultivation and manure hauling.
To motivate high-productivity labor, a phased salary increase is planned for other categories of workers as well.
Learning through Practice
For students of agricultural secondary vocational and vocational-technical education institutions, the internship period will be extended to 2.5 months per year. They will learn the basics of the profession only in the 99 best farms.
Dmitry Khoma, Head of the Regional Executive Committee's Education Department, stated that during the field work period, it is planned to involve over 1000 students who will be able to work, including as tractor drivers.
Students of the Academy of Veterinary Medicine will undergo a six-month internship. During this time, they will be able to go through all stages of agricultural production.
Focus on Technologies
While setting tasks for the upcoming sowing campaign, Chairman of the Committee for Agriculture and Food of the Regional Executive Committee Ivan Fyodorov announced that the structure of sown areas has been approved, and a commodity loan of 8.2 thousand tons of fuel has been allocated by order of the head of state.
Integration structures are fully provided with mineral fertilizers for their needs. Recently, the issue of allocating 6 thousand tons of active substance to insolvent farms with a payment deferral until September 1, settled by grain, has been resolved. The machinery is 90% ready and is sufficient to complete all work. Apart from the weather, there are no restraining factors for the start of the sowing campaign.
Nikolai Sherstnev emphasized the strict adherence to technology. If everything is done correctly, without attracting additional funds, it is possible to significantly increase the output of feed units, and to prepare the necessary feed reserves. Ultimately, this will not only increase the volume of products but also maximize the utilization of processing plant capacities, thereby increasing revenues.
Nikolai Sherstnev noted that the previous two years were difficult: rains, cold weather, and waterlogged soil. However, these difficulties have tempered the villagers. Farms have strengthened technically, have become more organized in carrying out agricultural work, and responsibility has increased. Despite all the problems, machinery is being purchased, and fertilizers are being supplied.
– First of all, I wish for good weather, – Nikolai Nikolaevich said in conclusion.