The consolidation of agricultural holdings, the modernization of agricultural enterprises, and personnel issues in the agro-industrial complex were discussed in Vitebsk
"In 2022, according to Decree No. 70 of the President on the development of the agro-industrial complex of the Vitebsk region, three out of five key performance indicators were met: export of products, sales profitability, and revenue. The depth of raw material processing also increased. We fell short in energy saving (reduced energy costs by 2.5% instead of 3%) and the physical volume index (PVI). Regarding the PVI, we only achieved 91.2% of the targeted 103%. This is due to the underutilization of the processing industry. At all meat and dairy processing enterprises, groups have been formed that visit agricultural enterprises, provide technical and theoretical assistance, and train staff in laboratory work – doing everything possible to increase the quantity and quality of raw materials supplied for processing," said Sergey Kachanov.
For 2023, growth points for the region's agro-industrial complex have been identified. The focus will be on meeting the same targeted indicators, but in physical terms, which precisely reflects the effective performance of agro-association enterprises.
Sergey Kachanov also noted that regarding the adjustment of the norms of Decree No. 70, the issue of consolidating agro-industrial associations or creating two large-scale agroholdings – for meat and dairy production – will be discussed. Currently, there are six agro-industrial associations in the Vitebsk region. Some of them have fewer than 10 agricultural enterprises that supply the parent company with raw materials, which allows processors to be loaded at 100% capacity. These are the Verkhnedvinsk and Postavy dairy plants, with raw material processing capacities of 270 tons and 300 tons, respectively. Profits from the supply of margin products, primarily cheese, to domestic and foreign markets allow these plants to invest in the modernization and development of agricultural enterprises – to build and modernize farms and increase production, thereby expanding the raw material base. The Polotsk and Vitebsk associations, which fulfill social orders, produce whole milk products, and have approximately 30 subordinate agricultural enterprises each, do not have such an opportunity. Consequently, the approach to the composition of agro-associations will be revised. "We proposed to consolidate some associations and consider the feasibility of creating agroholdings with a possible transition to two larger ones that will focus on the production of dairy and meat products separately," emphasized the General Director of the concern.
The regional executive committee meeting also considered personnel issues. Funds are allocated from the regional budget to support young specialists – graduates of universities and secondary vocational schools in the agricultural sector. As of the end of 2022, over 70 certified veterinarians and zootechnicians received additional payments up to Br1 thousand to their basic salaries. In total, 462 young specialists joined the agricultural sector last year. The personnel issue in the agro-industrial complex is partially being resolved through targeted contracts for training specialists for agricultural enterprises, and the agro-classes, of which there are 185 in the region, largely help to increase the prestige of agricultural professions.
Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee Alexander Subbotin drew attention to the insufficient fulfillment of the assigned indicators and instructed the heads of enterprises and interested departments to submit proposals for the development of the agro-industrial complex at the local level.
"BELTA"