President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko: the experience of creating integration structures in the agro-industrial complex can be in demand in all regions of Belarus

The Head of State was informed about the development of integration structures in the region's agro-industrial complex. The President, in particular, visited agricultural organizations that are part of the structure of OJSC "Moloko". He was informed about their work and the training of personnel for the agro-industrial complex of the Vitebsk region. The discussion also covered the socio-economic development of the region and the progress of spring field work.

Alexander Lukashenko noted positive changes in land management in the Vitebsk region. He had the opportunity to assess the situation from a helicopter. "Of course, these are small plots, we can't get away from it – such is the contour of the fields. But it's better. If you prepare properly for the harvest and gather it, you will have grain and fodder. It just requires organization. We must not stop under any circumstances," said the Head of State.

"So far, the situation is developing well. The foundation for good work has been laid today," confirmed the Chairman of the House of Representatives, Vladimir Andreichenko, who oversees the Vitebsk region.

"But this is only the beginning," the Belarusian leader pointed out.

While visiting the organizations of OJSC "Moloko" and discussing the development of integration structures in the region's agro-industrial complex, the President emphasized that support and funds will be allocated primarily for promising projects and directions, and if a хозяйский (business-like/responsible) approach to the matter is evident. "If there is a result, there will be money. I cannot invest money in enterprises that offer no hope," he noted.

Visiting one of the farms, Alexander Lukashenko positively assessed what he saw, noting the good conditions for keeping cattle. "Well done, it's immediately visible. And most importantly, it's done competently, according to technology. This is the way to go," said the Head of State.

Speaking about the decision to create integration structures in the region, the President expressed the opinion that it was timely and stemmed from life itself. "Perhaps we have found an earthly form – an integration structure. We have found it thanks to all of you. My job was to analyze and say yes or no. I see that it is earthly. From the land: fodder is coming,

and then milk, meat – for processing, processed, sold, cash flows went back to where the milk, meat came from. This is normal. And this way we can revive the Vitebsk region in five years," he noted.

Alexander Lukashenko was shown various agricultural machinery produced at the region's enterprises. Then the Head of State visited a robotic dairy complex that uses modern technologies.

During his working trip, the President also held a meeting in the Vitebsk district. He noted that the Vitebsk region's experience in creating integration structures in agriculture should be expanded to other regions of the country in the future.

"The Vitebsk region has nowhere to retreat. Others should come to you and learn how to organize similar integration structures and pull loss-making enterprises out of the crisis through a single chain," Alexander Lukashenko emphasized.

The Head of State recalled that seven integration structures have been created in the region, where loss-making, low-profitability farms have been attached to meat and milk processing enterprises. "The idea was simple, down-to-earth, when we made the decision on integration structures: there is land, there are people, we will help with equipment," he noted. According to the President, the purpose of such structures is to obtain meat and milk from farms, process the products at the holding's parent enterprise, and invest the proceeds in the development of the farms. "In the Vitebsk region, the upcoming year, if we have to work after the presidential elections, or two, or the entire five-year period, we will work in exactly this form and style," said the Head of State.

After Alexander Lukashenko familiarized himself with the activities of one of the integration structures in the Vitebsk region, he assessed what he saw as follows: "This is what the entire Vitebsk region should be like, but only in terms of quality, technology, return, and efficiency even higher than here."

Special attention, according to him, should be paid to the level of equipment of enterprises. "Parent enterprises (integrators), meat processing plants should be technologically the most advanced, so that they can produce the most luxurious products from the raw materials supplied by the peasants, which will be in high demand," the President emphasized. He focused on the need to ensure high product quality - then it will be in demand both in domestic and foreign markets. "We will always find a place in the world to sell food products. Therefore, the volumes of milk and meat can be increased. But from milk and meat, in plain language, you need to make such a 'candy' that will be snatched up by people," added Alexander Lukashenko.

At the same time, the Head of State warned: the development of agroholdings should not be at the expense of peasant farms.

The President instructed that the experience of the Vitebsk region in creating integration structures should be extended to other regions of the country if necessary. "We should not think that this is the situation only in the Vitebsk region. In the Mogilev and Minsk regions, too, it is possible to create simila"profitable integration structures: to attach unprofitable farms as a raw material zone to meat or dairy processing enterprises," he said. "We need to create at least one integration structure. They will be needed in some districts in any region, even in the Grodno region."

As a new format for outreach events, the President intends to continue visiting enterprises of integration structures in the future to analyze the situation on site.

"We will implement this, we will win, there will be a benefit," emphasized Alexander Lukashenko. "If we can revive agriculture in the Vitebsk region... Put it in order so that people work here and are happy, so that young people come here, and young people will come."

The President noted that the pandemic and the hysteria around it, among other things, have changed people's consciousness. "They realized that they need to hold onto the land," he said. "People are re-evaluating their actions and life principles, and this is beneficial for agriculture."



At the meeting, Governor Nikolai Sherstnev reported on the socio-economic development of the Vitebsk region, noting that the overall dynamics for the first quarter are positive. The Head of State also heard a report from the Minister of Agriculture and Food Ivan Krupko on the situation in the countryside. The progress of spring field work, harvest prospects, as well as the export of agricultural products and the saturation of the domestic market were discussed.

Regarding exports, Alexander Lukashenko is orienting the sector towards seeking the best price conditions on the world market. "The main thing is to sell at a good price, not just to push goods abroad," he said.

The Minister reported that based on the results of four months of work, production growth is observed in all categories of farms. For the first three months of the current year, export growth of almost 10% compared to the same period last year has been ensured. "We maintained the growth rate for the first quarter, which was for January-February. There was a slight slowdown in exports in April, but it is insignificant. Above 100%," stated Ivan Krupko.

Alexander Lukashenko, in particular, drew attention to potato planting. "I want to emphasize. This was an instruction to the Minister. This year, it seems to me, potatoes will be in demand. Therefore, I asked to collect everything we have left and plant potatoes. We need to plant more. This will be salvation. Look, if farms have seeds, let it be 50-70 hectares, maybe even 20 hectares. If you maintain it according to technology, you will get at least a small, but real profit. They will come to your field and take it away," said the Head of State.

The President is confident that potatoes will be particularly in demand in the markets of neighboring countries, primarily Russia and Ukraine.

Alexander Lukashenko generally emphasized the importance of the agricultural sector in the current conditions: "If we have something to sell, we will always sell it, and at a good price. Our peasants have earned this. After all, we have invested a lot of labor and money in agriculture. And now they will take it (food. - Ed.) with open arms. Therefore, it is good that we planted on time. And the winter was normal, and the crops are good. We just need not to miss the opportunity, we need to earn money on this this year."

In general, it was reported that there is no cause for concern regarding the sale of products for export. "Everything is in progress, there are contracts, they are being implemented," said the head of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food. Similarly, supplies of products to the domestic market are stably ensured.

The meeting also discussed the available sown areas of various crops. For example, farmers expect that this year they will be able to significantly increase theadd to grain volumes, guaranteeing the fulfillment of the state order.

The Head of State separately emphasized the cultivation and harvesting of feed for the needs of animal husbandry. "Quality feed must be prepared on-site in each farm," he stressed.

Another topic raised at the meeting concerned the provision of farms with fuel for agricultural work. "There should be no bottlenecks with fuel. Oil is cheap today – take as much as you want. I warned you: you must have free storage capacity to have reserves in collective farms, state farms, and district bases. There should be no issues here," the Belarusian leader noted.

Alexander Lukashenko also inquired about the availability of harvesting equipment, particularly combine harvesters, because if there is a good harvest, it must be promptly gathered from the fields when the time comes. In this regard, the necessary instructions have been given to ensure additional production and supply. "We need to make an effort, considering that there will be demand for food," he said.

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