Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko visited the Glubokoye Condensed Milk Plant
The head of government visited the flagship enterprise of the local agro-holding to examine, using its example, how Decree No. 70 "On the Development of the Agro-Industrial Complex of the Vitebsk Region" is being implemented in practice and what economic efficiency has been achieved from the decisions made.
"It will be a year in February since the decree was signed. There was a difficult economic situation, and it was necessary to overcome it by centralizing and clearing debts accumulated in previous years. It is too early to talk about the final results, but significant positive shifts are already visible. Milk production is growing both in the country and in the Vitebsk region," noted Roman Golovchenko.
In 11 months of 2020, Belarus exported 4.4 million tons of dairy products worth $2.2 billion. Organizations in the Vitebsk region sold 332.7 thousand tons worth $157.5 million. The export of dairy products accounts for 60% of the milk production volume, dry milk products – 90%, cheese – 80%, butter – 60%.
The Prime Minister noted that there are still problematic issues, including a shortage of funds in a number of farms in the northern region due to insufficient investment so far. "The Glubokoye dairy and canning plant's revenue and sales volume have increased, and profit has appeared. Even based on this statistical data, we can say that the decision was made correctly. However, it may need to be refined. Therefore, based on the monitoring results, we will hold a major meeting to specifically review the results and determine what else needs to be done to increase the efficiency of raw material zones. In processing, we are generally doing well; the capacities are large, the plants have been modernized, and they have good indicators – sales profitability is higher than in mechanical engineering. But it is necessary to work on raw material zones to increase milk yields and improve its marketability," emphasized the head of government.
During the visit to the enterprise, the issue of modernization and reconstruction of farms, including those carried out by own efforts, was raised. Recently, the leadership of the Vitebsk region has been focusing on this.
"There is a great need for them in the districts of the northern region, especially in those that are unfavorable for agriculture. There are outdated farms, so now we are determining the sources, at the expense of which and, most importantly, how to do it," said Roman Golovchenko.
The structure of the Glubokoye association includes three processing enterprises and 24 agricultural organizations in the Glubokoye, Sharkovshchina, Braslav and Dokshitsy districts. The total land area is 161 thousand hectares, or about 13% of the entire Vitebsk region. Last year, the holding produced gross output worth Br153 million and increased product exports. Milk accounts for 35% of the association's production structure, 22% for grain and leguminous crops, and 20% for fodder.-0-
