The country's first 'Flax Harvest Festival' was held in the Vitebsk region
"Flax Dozhinki" is intended to become a brand of the Vitebsk region
Exhibitions of the Dubrovno flax mill, the Orsha flax mill, an exposition of flax towels, a demonstration of the flax processing process with a presentation of spinning wheels and looms, and master classes from craftsmen of the district House of Crafts were organized in the foyer of the local House of Culture. The celebration itself, attended by the Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee Nikolai Sherstnev, the Assistant to the President of the Republic of Belarus – Inspector for the Vitebsk Region Vitaly Vovk, and the Deputy Chairman of the Standing Commission on Agrarian Policy of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus Anatoly Lukashov, took place in the renovated auditorium of the cultural institution.
The General Director of the state association "Vitobllionprom" Tatyana Eryoma summed up the results of the work in the flax field, named the districts and organizations that achieved the highest indicators, as well as the best workers.
She noted that the past few years have been difficult for the region in terms of weather conditions, and the western regions were particularly affected.
– Annually, we lose about 10% of all sown areas in the region, which is quite a lot, – stated Tatyana Eryoma. – However, over the past three years, our results in gross production and yield of flax straw have significantly improved.
The General Director reported that this year 43.2 thousand tons of flax straw with an average grade of 0.97 were harvested. The yield of flax fiber in the region is 10 centners per hectare. It is noteworthy that the last time such a gross harvest of flax straw was obtained was in 2012, and the sown area was 19.7 thousand hectares at that time. Moreover, twice as many flax-sowing organizations cultivated the crop.
In terms of gross flax straw yield and quality, the Vitebsk region currently holds the best results in the republic, ranking second in yield, second only to the Mogilev region.
– It should be noted that in recent years, the efficiency of flax straw production per hectare has increased significantly, – emphasized Tatyana Eryoma. – For example, in the 1990s, fiber yield was 2-4 centners per hectare, while for the last 3 years, we have consistently achieved 10 centners per hectare in the region, with some organizations achieving significantly higher yields.
In the current year, 8 districts of the region have achieved growth in flax straw production volumes. The best results were obtained in Dubrovensky and Orshansky districts. They fulfilled the target set by the regional executive committee, while harvesting more than 50% of the total volume for the region.
For instance, Dubrovensky district harvested 13 thousand tons of flax straw with the highest quality in the region (average grade – 1.10) and a yield of 48 centners per hectare.
Orshansky district harvested 9.85 thousand tons of flax straw with an average grade of 0.97 and a yield of 37.7 centners per hectare.
Among the enterprises, the Dubrovno Flax Mill became the winner: 13 thousand tons of flax straw with an average grade of 1.10, and a yield of 46.8 centners per hectare (fiber – 14.9 centners per hectare). It is noteworthy that on the leased lands of 2 thousand hectares, the enterprise's agrarians obtained flax straw with a grade of 1.15, with quality and yield significantly exceeding last year's levels.
The Flax Institute of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus was also recognized for its consistently high results. The enterprise obtained flax straw with an average grade of 2.02 from an area of 300 hectares, with a flax fiber yield of 15.8 centners per hectare. The second place for achieving the best indicators was awarded to OAO "Yakubovo-Agro" of the Dubrovensky district.
Mechanics involved in flax pulling, baling, transportation, loading, and unloading of flax straw received diplomas and monetary bonuses for their diligent work.
A number of managers and specialists of the enterprises were recognized with Certificates of Honor and letters of gratitude from the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee and the Regional Committee for Agriculture and Food.
Tatyana Eryoma emphasized that the high results were achieved thanks to the substantial support provided by the region.
– 192 units of new equipment, both general-purpose and specialized, have been purchased, which has significantly reduced the timeframes for all types of field work, – stated the General Director. – First of all, I convey words of gratitude from all flax growers of the region to the Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee, Nikolai Sherstnev, for paying great attention to the industry.
The head of the Vitebsk region noted that the flax straw harvest in 2019 should ensure full capacity utilization of the plants.
– We need to harvest as much flax straw as is required for our flax plants to operate in three shifts and without days off. This is 65-70 thousand tons, – informed Nikolai Nikolaevich. – Great attention is paid to the development of flax cultivation in the region. Last year, initial measures were taken to stabilize the situation in the industry. This yielded results. This year, the issue has been approached even more seriously: a set of measures has been implemented, allowing for timely sowing, harvesting, and other works, and a fleet of equipment has been created. Next year, we will refine the flax cultivation technology and finalize issues with equipment provision so that all works are completed within the technological regulations – a maximum of two weeks. This is the main goal. We must achieve such qualitative and gross harvest indicators that will ensure full capacity utilization of the flax plants.
It is also worth mentioning the results of the production and financial activities of the flax plants. Despite the fact that in 2018, most flax plants experienced a shortage of raw materials, and last year's flax straw was of lower quality, based on the results of the work for 10 months of this year, there is an increase in the production volumes of flax fiber in kind – 103.7%, and in value – 113%. The quality of both long and short fiber produced is slightly higher.
For the specified period, 1057 tons of long flax fiber were supplied under the state order, which is 170 tons more than in the same period last year.
2400 tons of flax fiber worth $2 million were shipped for export, or 120.8% of the 2017 level. Net loss decreased by 2.9 times compared to the 2017 level. Half of the flax processing plants operated with a net profit.
As an example, consider the Dubrovno Flax Processing Plant. High production efficiency was achieved here thanks to modernization and modern technologies. Investments for the current year will amount to 2 million rubles. The larger part of them has already been directed to fixed assets. And if previously the production of flax fiber averaged about 200-240 tons per month, then in October 2018, the enterprise produced 367 tons of products. Here, sheds for raw material storage were reconstructed, and the construction of a fourth additional one is planned.