Competition in spring field work: new machines are second to none
For the first time in the Vitebsk region, the Committee for Agriculture and Food of the Regional Executive Committee is holding a regional competition for spring field work among machine operators working on energy-intensive tractors. Also, based on the results of field work, the best integrated agricultural structure that achieved the highest productivity per unit of energy-intensive equipment will be determined.
Natalia Balitskaya, Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Agriculture and Food of the Regional Executive Committee, spoke about the conditions of the new competition format:
— Recently, the region has acquired about a thousand units of energy-intensive equipment to carry out field work within optimal deadlines. As we know, nature allots less time for this than for other regions. When developing the competition rules, we tried to create conditions for maximum output from each unit of new equipment. This is the main criterion for determining the winners. Participants are divided into groups depending on the type of work (plowing, soil preparation, crop rolling, sowing of grain and leguminous crops, rapeseed, corn) and the power of the units. For example, in plowing, machine operators compete in three categories depending on the working width of the plow. The competition for other types of work is organized on the same principle. In each group, we have determined three prize places with cash prizes: the 1st place is awarded 40 base units, the 2nd place is 30, and the 3rd place is 20. The results will be determined at the end of May. We will also name the best integrated structure of the region based on the same criterion – with the maximum productivity rate of energy-intensive equipment.
The Orsha integration structure with the parent enterprise OJSC "Orsha Khlebo produkt" was the first to start field work. The agroholding's raw material zone unites 26 farms in the Orsha, Dubrovno, and Tolochin districts.
The progress of field work was commented on to "SG" by the General Director of the Orsha Khlebo produkt plant, Sergey Gerasimets:
— The area of spring crops in our structure is 21 thousand hectares. Field work is proceeding smoothly. It is difficult to single out anyone, as the sowing areas of the farms vary. The largest are "Zadneprovsky" in Orsha, the branch named after Yu. Smirnov in the Dubrovno district, "Nadezhino" and "Tolochinsky Rayagroservis" in Tolochin. There are also organizations that have completed sowing. By order of the regional executive committee, machine operators from urban organizations, including our structure, have been sent to help the villagers. In addition, townspeople are helping to clear stones. We sow all daylight hours, and soil preparation is carried out in two shifts, farms plow at night as well. I believe the labor remuneration is decent. Specific rates are set for each type of equipment. If a machine operator fulfills the daily norm, then each subsequent hectare beyond it is paid at a double rate. The agronomic service monitors the technological regulations. With high-quality fulfillment of the plan, the daily earnings of a machine operator are 100 rubles and above. There are no questions about the professionalism of the people, everyone tries to work conscientiously.
The Orsha structure intends to harvest 250 thousand tons of grain this year. Sergey Gerasimets places great hope on spring crops, as some of the sown areas did not tolerate winter well. Part of the fields thinned out by snow mold will have to be re-sown.
Natalia Balitskaya, Deputy Chairperson of the Committee for Agriculture and Food of the Regional Executive Committee, spoke about the conditions of the new competition format:
— Recently, the region has acquired about a thousand units of energy-intensive equipment to carry out field work within optimal deadlines. As we know, nature allots less time for this than for other regions. When developing the competition rules, we tried to create conditions for maximum output from each unit of new equipment. This is the main criterion for determining the winners. Participants are divided into groups depending on the type of work (plowing, soil preparation, crop rolling, sowing of grain and leguminous crops, rapeseed, corn) and the power of the units. For example, in plowing, machine operators compete in three categories depending on the working width of the plow. The competition for other types of work is organized on the same principle. In each group, we have determined three prize places with cash prizes: the 1st place is awarded 40 base units, the 2nd place is 30, and the 3rd place is 20. The results will be determined at the end of May. We will also name the best integrated structure of the region based on the same criterion – with the maximum productivity rate of energy-intensive equipment.
According to the regional agricultural department, as of April 19, the region's farmers have sown 70.5 percent of grain and leguminous crops. Orsha district was the first and only one in the region to complete sowing. Their neighbors, the workers of Dubrovensky district, are close to the finish line, with about 4 percent left. Less than 50 percent of the plan has been sown in 3 out of 21 districts: Gorodok district (about 40 percent), Sennensky district (46.3), Liozno district (49.5). Traditionally, field work in these lands begins later, as the soils here are problematic for agriculture.
The Orsha integration structure with the parent enterprise OJSC "Orsha Khlebo produkt" was the first to start field work. The agroholding's raw material zone unites 26 farms in the Orsha, Dubrovno, and Tolochin districts.
The progress of field work was commented on to "SG" by the General Director of the Orsha Khlebo produkt plant, Sergey Gerasimets:
— The area of spring crops in our structure is 21 thousand hectares. Field work is proceeding smoothly. It is difficult to single out anyone, as the sowing areas of the farms vary. The largest are "Zadneprovsky" in Orsha, the branch named after Yu. Smirnov in the Dubrovno district, "Nadezhino" and "Tolochinsky Rayagroservis" in Tolochin. There are also organizations that have completed sowing. By order of the regional executive committee, machine operators from urban organizations, including our structure, have been sent to help the villagers. In addition, townspeople are helping to clear stones. We sow all daylight hours, and soil preparation is carried out in two shifts, farms plow at night as well. I believe the labor remuneration is decent. Specific rates are set for each type of equipment. If a machine operator fulfills the daily norm, then each subsequent hectare beyond it is paid at a double rate. The agronomic service monitors the technological regulations. With high-quality fulfillment of the plan, the daily earnings of a machine operator are 100 rubles and above. There are no questions about the professionalism of the people, everyone tries to work conscientiously.
The Orsha structure intends to harvest 250 thousand tons of grain this year. Sergey Gerasimets places great hope on spring crops, as some of the sown areas did not tolerate winter well. Part of the fields thinned out by snow mold will have to be re-sown.