President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko visited the Orsha Linen Mill
As reported to the Head of State, only a few countries in the world currently grow flax. These are mainly European countries. France ranks first in the rating, while Belarus is approximately in second or third position. "It's good that there are fewer and fewer states in the market. Therefore, we need to cultivate our own flax so as not to buy (part of the raw materials through imports. - Editorial Note). This industry should be at least twice as efficient within three years. And we can do it if our Government worked properly," said Alexander Lukashenko.
During his visit to the enterprise, the President expressed some criticism towards the management of the agro-industrial complex and the governors for the insufficient volumes of domestically produced flax raw materials, as well as their often poor quality. At the modernized Orsha Flax Mill, about a third of the capacity remains underutilized, and part of the flax fiber for processing has to be purchased abroad, for example, from the same France. Naturally, all this affects the price of the final product and the overall efficiency of the enterprise.
According to Deputy Prime Minister Mikhail Rusy and the governors, unfavorable weather conditions interfered with the flax plans this year. However, the President emphasized that it is unacceptable to blame only this factor, pointing to shortcomings in previous years as well. "We need not only state orders, we need efficient production," he said.
The Head of State was assured that, on the whole, flax is a profitable crop that can generate income, and much has already been done in Belarus in this direction. The President was informed about the modernization of the flax mill and the investments made. As a result, export volumes have increased, its geography has expanded, and revenues and salaries have grown. The enterprise ensures timely settlement of its loan obligations.
Alexander Lukashenko specifically emphasized that agricultural producers themselves should feel the increase in efficiency and make a profit. In this regard, the flax mill has been gradually increasing raw material purchase prices for several years and is ready for new significant steps to attract farmers.
The Head of State familiarized himself with the production process, walked through the workshops, and communicated with the enterprise's employees, and inspected samples of the manufactured products.
"This is deep processing, added value, additional money and employment, import substitution," noted Alexander Lukashenko. "What prevents us from supplying our hospitals (with linen medical products. - Ed.) and other items, and selling our own? Nothing prevents us."
"Not only is it a political culture (for Belarus, as it is depicted on the country's coat of arms. - Ed.), but there is a global shortage of flax. This means there will be a market. The demand will only grow. And since we have started this business and invested a lot of money in production and processing, we need to continue, deepening this processing, to produce cosmetic products and products for medicine... We need to go deeper," the Belarusian leader summarized.
During his working trip to the Orsha district, the President also held a meeting on the development of the flax industry and flax processing.
"We have probably been postponing this meeting for a year. There is nowhere further to postpone it. This year has been a moment of truth for flax and rapeseed production - we will talk about this crop later," said Alexander Lukashenko. - "Today our task is to objectively identify the problematic issues in order to finally bring the flax industry to an effective level of operation. Therefore, I need reasoned, frank and honest answers to all questions. Do not try, tail between your legs, to boast about the heroism you have achieved in this industry."
The Head of State noted that the attention to this sphere is not accidental. Belarus is one of the leading flax fiber producing countries. Moreover, flax is the only annually renewable raw material for the textile industry. Today, Belarusian enterprises produce specialized equipment for its cultivation and harvesting, and factories are mastering and developing new areas of flax fiber, shive, and flaxseed utilization.
"Currently, we are restoring such a seemingly lost position as the production of flaxseed oil. A few years ago, we completely imported it," the President stated.
Alexander Lukashenko recalled that a few years ago the country determined the technology for growing, optimal sowing and harvesting times for flax, as well as approaches to the work of the Orsha Flax Combine and the technical re-equipment of flax processing plants and flax-sowing organizations.
"But the situation in the flax industry is not rosy. Yes, it must be said that there is some tiny, tiny growth, a dynamic in the right direction. Not only because the market has helped us today, demand has increased, but also because we have somehow started to move, farms have begun to pay more attention to flax. But this is just tears," the Head of State emphasized.
According to the President, he is concerned that the same issues are raised year after year at meetings. "There are problems for both flax producers and processors, but neither governors nor the Government offer effective solutions," he noted.
Alexander Lukashenko asked why technological regulations for soil selection and cultivation are still not followed, which hinders sowing flax and harvesting flax straw within agro-technical terms, and why low-quality seeds are used for commercial crops. "These are issues of agriculture, agricultural enterprises," the Head of State pointed out.
The President also inquired about the work done in the country to create machines for the entire technological cycle, and why flax-sowing organizations still lack the necessary equipment for cultivating and harvesting flax. "What prevents the full utilization of the production capacities of our flax mills? Why do they operate inefficiently, and has their modernization been reduced to a banal replacement of worn-out parts and units? What is the reason for the lack of high-quality flax fiber in the required volume and the failure to fulfill the state order?" Alexander Lukashenko raised a whole series of problematic issues.
He noted that Russia and China, which buy flax fiber from Belarus, produce goods that are in high demand compared to Belarusian ones. "Where are the technologies and specialists who should promote domestic flax products?" the Head of State inquired.
The President stated that since 2007, $212 million has been invested in the development of the Orsha Flax Mill. He asked what, in that case, hinders the normal development of the enterprise. "Today we have determined: they can add 30-35%, they have sufficient capacity," Alexander Lukashenko emphasized.
The Head of State noted that the decision to develop the flax industry in the country was made long ago, and it is too late to argue whether it turned out to be correct. "I believed, I still believe, and now you are convinced that we did the right thing," Alexander Lukashenko emphasized.
At the same time, according to him, the work is still not organized effectively. "My main impression so far today is that we are a disgraceful people. We must love our country. And love should be expressed not in chatter and words, but in deeds," the President said.
Alexander Lukashenko noted that in the past, many countries cultivated flax: France, China, Russia, the Netherlands, Belgium, Kazakhstan, and Belarus. "We were in sixth or seventh place, if we don't count the Soviet Union," he stated. "And now we are in second place. France is still making some effort in flax production, only qualitatively, unlike us. China has scaled back production, there's very little left. Flax cultivation in Russia has completely died out."
At the same time, the Head of State observed, people value flax products, and demand for them is only growing. "And for us, the Chernobyl Republic, Ukraine, and Russia, it is generally a 'medicine'. Flax fabrics are salvation for us. The world has long understood, especially Europe: flax is here to stay. And the number of producers is decreasing. So, did we do the right thing by embarking on production modernization at some point, especially at this flax mill – is this our history? Absolutely right. And life has confirmed it," the President stated. "It would seem, why am I in such a bad mood? Because we treat this disgracefully."
"Walking through these workshops, the head of the enterprise simply let slip: here is short fiber, this was done, that was done. Excellent fabrics are made from short flax fiber, we saw them. But he processed only 30-35% of it. And where is the remaining 65-70%? Packed, sent somewhere, something made by himself. Today, 60-70% of short flax fiber does not bring the income, the efficiency, and the profit that we could have," Alexander Lukashenko stated.
At the meeting, the director of RUP "Institute of Flax" Ivan Golub noted that, despite the recommendations of scientists and the holding of training events, it has not yet been possible to cultivate and process flax according to technology everywhere in the country.
Alexander Lukashenko addressed a question to Deputy Prime Minister Mikhail Rusomy about why this situation had arisen. "This is an oversight. We will push it through to every hectare," the deputy prime minister replied.
The President emphasized that if the leadership of the agro-industrial complex and the National Academy of Sciences do not jointly ensure compliance with flax cultivation technologies next year, the harshest measures will follow. Practical work on the ground is the responsibility of the governors.
At the same time, the Head of State noted that all leaders who achieve high results in the cultivation of flax and other important crops should not be forgotten in terms of encouragement and support. "And not just an order, but something more should be added to the order," he said.
Alexander Lukashenko also instructed to organize the production of the entire range of necessary spare parts for equipment repair at domestic industrial enterprises. "No imports. We are a machine-building country, we produce complex machinery. Collect orders now, for example, from the flax mill. Down to creating import substitution workshops in Orsha itself. We must do everything ourselves. Because they will import from abroad," the President said. "And why do they import - because there are kickbacks. There are so-called commissions - 8-15%. In a few days, you will hear another epic. I have already been informed. Several dozen leaders have been caught on this very import. Intermediation and so on and so forth. We will not rush, but I already see it. Because people have already been caught red-handed there."
Alexander Lukashenko pointed out that the production of certain parts that are currently purchased abroad can be entrusted to domestic enterprises. "Gomselmash is suffering - not all capacities are utilized, MTZ - go and make it. No imports for repair and spare parts," the Belarusian leader warned.
He added that this applies not only to the needs of the flax industry but also to other areas. "This problem extends to other enterprises. Everything related to spare parts for equipment - seeders, threshers, presses, and so on," the President said.
The Head of State also set a task regarding the wider use of domestic fabrics at garment factories, including worsted and linen fabrics. "All fabrics from modernized enterprises. Study the markets. Approach it reasonably, but domestic fabrics must be used by garment factories. This is also a crucial issue. Otherwise, what did we start all this for," he stressed.
President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko also explained why he kept Mikhail Rusy in the post of Deputy Prime Minister. "The opposition, non-opposition wrote: the President fired all the Deputy Prime Ministers, but kept Rusy. Then some semi-opposition website, I was informed, wrote: they will probably sort things out with Rusy by the end of the year. Absolutely correct. And Rusy would not be here from today, but as a country person, I understand: it was not the best year after all. It's not about the weather, but it was not the best year," said Alexander Lukashenko.
However, the Head of State believes that significantly greater results could have been achieved in the production of flax fiber, if the governors had paid due attention to this area. "Yes, it's bad, but still, as the head of our enterprise here said, he has good dynamics. This saves Rusy from the catastrophe that his colleagues, led by Kobyakov, suffered. But, Mikhail Ivanovich, God forbid you and Zayats (Minister of Agriculture and Food Leonid Zayats. - Ed.) do not solve this problem in 2019," the President warned.
At the meeting, a proposal was made to experimentally purchase imported flax seeds of good breeding and try to zone them in Belarusian conditions. In this regard, Alexander Lukashenko recalled that earlier, during his visit to a flax-growing farm, the director of RUP "Institute of Flax" Ivan Golub assured that Belarusian varieties are better than foreign ones. "And I am saying now. We have already conducted research - our varieties are better than Western ones. The "Grant" variety. Coming out - this year they will be zoned - two more varieties "Taler" and "Dukat", which surpass Western varieties. If there are not enough seeds - that's one thing. We have already passed this stage," said the director of the institute at the meeting.
In this regard, Alexander Lukashenko instructed the governors to conduct an experiment: "Each governor in each region will take a field, divide it into three parts. And sow (for example, 10-20 hectares) with imported seeds, next to it sow 'Ducat', 'Thaler', something else. And when we go to look at flax, we will go to this field. But with the observance of all technologies."
The President explained that governors, unlike scientists, are neutral people in this regard. "You need to know - what is better," he noted.
President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko emphasized the further development of the flax industry in the country, as well as the subsequent processing and sale of flax products. "The line has been drawn, and only the fact that, firstly, there is a slight positive dynamic, primarily thanks to the Orsha Flax Mill: it has started to work more qualitatively, more efficiently and is paying off loans, saves you (leaders of various levels. - Ed.)," the Head of State noted. - Well, and the year was not the best (in terms of weather conditions. - Ed.). This saves you. That's all. There is no turning back. If these problems are not resolved next year, we will start with these 'Vitebskoblen', 'Gorkilen'..."
Summing up the results of the meeting in Orsha on the development of flax cultivation and processing, the Head of State emphasized the importance of the fact that the relevant issues were discussed again at this level. "Today's meeting is important not even for the details we delved into. It's good that the governors will hear - they are the ones who will implement it. They heard the acuteness of this issue. But the main thing is responsibility, so the very fact that we gathered and, having spoken sternly again, made a decision is important," the President is confident.
Official Internet Portal of the President of the Republic of Belarus.