Vitebsk region intends to increase revenue from the sale of agricultural products by almost 2.5 times by 2015

August 28, Vitebsk / Diana Kurilo - BELTA /. The draft program for the development of the agro-industrial complex of the Vitebsk region for 2011-2015 provides for an almost 2.5-fold increase in revenue from the sale of agricultural products: from Br1.7 trillion in 2010 to Br4.2 trillion by 2015. This was announced today at the regional scientific and practical seminar-meeting on the strategy for the development of the agro-industrial complex of the Vitebsk region for the period up to 2015, increasing the efficiency of crop production, fodder production and livestock, and bringing order to the land by the Deputy Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee Eduard Demyanov, BELTA correspondent reports. The main priorities for the development of the sector in 2011-2015 will be the creation of conditions that ensure an increase in the economic efficiency of the agro-industrial complex, primarily through the formation of sustainable profitable production. By 2015, the region plans to produce 1435 thousand tons of milk, increase the average yield to 50 centners per hectare and harvest more than 2 million tons of grain, and sell 300 thousand tons of meat. An increase in livestock production is planned to be achieved through both an increase in the number of livestock and an increase in productivity. The main volumes of milk and meat production will be accounted for by large-scale complexes. In particular, by the end of the five-year period, it is planned to put into operation more than 100 dairy farms and reconstruct the same number. To increase herd productivity, the regional agricultural production department plans to increase the genetic potential of the dairy herd and, for this purpose, intends to annually import up to 40 head of breeding bulls from countries with a high level of animal husbandry, and to start working on purchasing and transplanting embryos of the best world selection. Along with traditional livestock industries, the region plans to develop goat and sheep farming. By 2015, the number of goats will increase to 1 thousand, sheep - to 5 thousand, horses - to 10 thousand. An increase in livestock production will adjust the system of agriculture and crop production. As part of the program, it is planned to increase the sown areas of grain and leguminous crops to 500 thousand hectares, rapeseed - 100 thousand hectares, corn - 100 thousand hectares, flax - up to 20 thousand hectares, potatoes - up to 10 thousand hectares. The material and technical base for the implementation of the set tasks has been developed. During 2009-2010, the region's farms received 486 energy-saturated tractors, 800 high-performance harvesters, and 271 forage harvesters. By the end of 2015, the machine fleet will be replenished with 2,000 grain harvesters, 1.5 thousand tractors, and other equipment. The implementation of the program will be aimed at increasing the profitability of agricultural enterprises and bringing the average salary in agricultural enterprises to Br2 million. As a result of the program, in 2015, revenue from sales may amount to Br4.2 trillion with production costs of Br4.1 trillion. The profitability of sales for all activities will be 18.2%. "The program is not ambitious, it is realistic. Vitebsk region is an industrial region, but the countryside ensures food security. Life begins with the land," said the Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee Alexander Kosinets, commenting on the program. The Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee emphasized that the extensive path of agricultural development has ended, and it is time to switch to intensive methods of work. The Deputy Chairman of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor Vladimir Gusakov also expressed the opinion that the developed program is realistic and coincides with the directions of the country's agro-industrial complex development. "Intensification is approaching the Vitebsk region. A yield of 50 centners per hectare for the region is a normal indicator. There is potential in the region," the scientist emphasized. The draft program for the development of the agro-industrial complex of the Vitebsk region for 2011-2015 will be submitted for consideration by the deputies of the regional council in September. -0-