The results of agricultural work will be assessed based on efficiency and profitability - A. Lukashenko

August 9, Minsk /BELTA/. The results of agricultural work will be primarily assessed based on efficiency and profitability. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko stated this on August 6, during his working trip to the Vitebsk region, BELTA was informed by the press service of the Belarusian leader. The President once again drew attention to his main requirement – increasing the efficiency of farming. "Gross yield and other things are good, but efficiency is needed. Let's calculate how much money is invested and what the profitability will be," he said. "I emphasize that I will evaluate not by pace and yield. The main thing is the effect we will get from grain, milk, and meat. All calculations should be based on this." The head of state also drew attention to the issue of high-quality harvesting of feed and agricultural crops. In his opinion, this needs to be given paramount attention. During his visit to SPC "Mayak Braslavsky," Alexander Lukashenko was informed about the progress of the harvesting campaign in the country. According to the Minister of Agriculture and Food, Mikhail Rusy, as of August 6, almost 6 million tons of grain have been harvested in Belarus. Simultaneously, winter crops are being sown in the country. As for winter rapeseed, seeds have been fully procured, and a decision has been made to increase the sown areas of this crop. As noted by the Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Alexander Kosinets, 70% of the areas have already been harvested in the Vitebsk region, with an average grain yield of 22.1 centners per hectare. One of the main problems of the Vitebsk region remains the low contouring of fields. The governor assured the President that the harvest this year, in barn weight, will be equal to last year's. Alexander Lukashenko instructed to accelerate the implementation of the republican program for the development of the flax industry. It must be completed within the current and next years. He noted that in previous years, insufficient attention was paid to this area. "Nothing has changed: the same people, practically everything is the same, and flax was grown in such weather. There were better years, but they didn't grow it. Couldn't they cultivate it? They could. They were negligent. Therefore, if 60 thousand tons are required, everything must be done to close the issue this year and next, and we will no longer talk about long fiber," said the head of state. As reported to the President, the flax harvesting is nearing completion in the country. Good quality of this crop is noted in the Gomel, Vitebsk, and Brest regions. For experimental purposes, two fields were sown using French technology. As Mikhail Rusy noted, approaches to flax cultivation in Belarus will be significantly changed. The President set the task to purchase the necessary equipment that will improve the quality of the produced flax fiber. "New lines must be installed at flax processing plants, taking the best ones. And then produce these lines ourselves," said Alexander Lukashenko. Currently, the depreciation of fixed assets at flax processing plants is quite high. It is planned to import new equipment from Belgium for three flax processing plants in Mozyr, Orsha, and Gomel. The head of state demanded to double the production of goods at these plants. As for finished flax products, there are still large warehouse stocks. He noted that the demand for linen fabrics is high, and recently supplies of such fabrics to Russia and Europe have increased. The second facility visited by the head of state during his working trip was the "Drivyaty" recreation center of the "Braslav Lakes" National Park. The President familiarized himself with the infrastructure and organization of the center's work. Commissioned in 1998, it occupies an area of 3.8 hectares, which houses three residential buildings with almost 100 beds, a restaurant, a banquet hall, a Russian banya, a cultural and health center, and other infrastructure facilities. As reported to Alexander Lukashenko by the Governor of the Vitebsk region, Alexander Kosinets, it is planned to actively develop recreation opportunities both on the Braslav Lakes and in the region as a whole. Currently, there are almost 300 agro-tourism estates operating in the Vitebsk region, and it is planned to increase their number to 500 in the near future. In addition to state funds, investor capital is actively attracted to the development of tourism infrastructure. In Alexander Lukashenko's opinion, solving the road problem will create additional opportunities, including for attracting investors. In the Braslav Lakes region, it is planned to develop a network of roads that will connect the lakes. The "Braslav Lakes" National Park is one of the most valuable natural sites in Belarus. Its territory represents almost all species of flora and fauna characteristic of the Belarusian Poozerie. Then the head of state communicated with vacationers at "Drivyaty," among whom were many Russians, including Muscovites. Alexander Lukashenko noted that guests from Russia are always warmly welcomed in Belarus. "Some people in Russia want us to quarrel, but I say – you won't get it. No matter what films they make there, no matter what they write, they still won't be able to make Belarusians and Russians quarrel," he said. In the President's opinion, Russian capital could participate in the creation of tourist infrastructure facilities on the Braslav Lakes, and subsequently, even more Russians could come here for recreation. One of the Muscovite vacationers at "Drivyaty" thanked Alexander Lukashenko for the great attention paid in Belarus to preserving the memory of the Great Patriotic War. She noted the large number of monuments and memorials that are cared for and maintained in good condition. According to the head of state, including for preserving the memory of those events, a decision was made to build a new building for the Museum of the Great Patriotic War in Minsk. -0-