Vitebsk region will triple the pace of reconstruction of old land reclamation systems
Melioration is the number one task. It was announced by the President in November last year during an off-site plenary session of the republican seminar-meeting on the restoration and use of reclaimed lands, which took place at Amkodor-KEZ in the Tolochin district. The head of state then clearly set priorities: to ensure fertility, melioration needs to be given significantly more attention. The President returned to this topic on March 10 at a meeting of the Council of Ministers dedicated to economic issues. He warned: melioration must be carried out more actively, lands must be fully involved in crop rotation, and their condition must be maintained in proper order so that the lands do not turn into swamps again. Especially since the scope of work has been approved and financed. How is the task being fulfilled? To find out the answer to this question, the correspondents of "R" went to the Vitebsk region.
IT WAS SAID
— A third of crop production is produced on these lands, including more than half of the green fodder necessary for animal husbandry. Therefore, the question of whether melioration should exist or not in Belarus is not even being discussed today. My strictest requirement remains the same: every inch of such land must be used for the benefit of the country
Alexander Lukashenko at the plenary session of the republican seminar-meeting on the restoration and use of reclaimed lands, November 11, 2022
Sergey Samokhvalov, General Director of Vitebskmeliovodkhoz State Enterprise, cites figures:
— Almost 30 percent of all drained lands onis located in our Vitebsk region. And 37 percent of them have been in use for about 40–50 years. Therefore, we unequivocally support the position of the President, who set the task: within 2–3 years, the plans that were once drawn up for a decade should be implemented. I quote the Head of State: "If we miss another 5–7 years in land reclamation, it will be almost impossible to return," and this is indeed true.
How do the people of Vitebsk plan to fulfill this strategically important assignment? Sergey Samokhvalov explains: in recent years, the pace of work on repairing old land reclamation systems and building new ones in the region has been gradually increasing. But, of course, this is not enough. We need to speed up. After all, while some systems are being reconstructed, others are falling into disrepair due to their long service life.
— The climatic specifics of the northernmost region of the country make their own adjustments, — Sergey Samokhvalov points out. — The winter here is longer, the spring is usually drawn-out, and therefore we have less time for earthworks. Nevertheless, last year we put in order 4.1 thousand hectares of land, and this year we will triple the volume. We plan to reach 12.3 thousand hectares.
— At the end of last year and the beginning of this year, according to the state order, the Kokhanovo Excavator Plant supplied us with 15 energy-intensive excavators. Considering that the last mass renewal of machinery was carried out about 15 years ago, this is colossal support for the industry, — emphasizes Sergey Vladimirovich.
In total, Vitebsk land reclamation specialists have acquired about 40 excavators, bulldozers, low-loaders, tractors, and other equipment. The sources are varied: leasing, preferential credit resources, own funds. The main thing is that all this will allow us tosignificantly increase the pace of work. New units are handed over to the most experienced machine operators and immediately sent to the field – so as not to lose a minute. This year, meliorators have completely abandoned ancillary orders, all efforts are focused on the reconstruction of old and construction of new systems. There are about 50 such facilities in the region's investment program alone.
Currently, over 1300 people work in the structure of KUP "Vitebskmeliorovodkhoz". Usually, the staff increases by the beginning of the season.
— Yes, of course, there is a staffing problem, — the manager does not hide. — But recently it has not been as painful as before. Seeing how interested the state is in the development of the land reclamation industry, people stay to work, and new ones come. Moreover, the salary is now quite competitive. Every year we hire about a dozen young specialists under distribution.
"Vitebskmeliorovodkhoz" specialists share their observations: every year brings new surprises that cause difficulties. For example, apparently, the general climate change has influenced the fact that grass rhizomes, in search of water, have begun to go deeper by 1–1.2 meters! And as a result, they clog the drainage systems. This must be taken into account.
— We are currently carrying out the construction of a new land reclamation system here. The area is 142 hectares. The facility is located next to a livestock complex, and therefore is very important for livestock breeders – tomorrow, in place of dense thickets, there will be good arable land for growing grains, legumes, and fodder grasses. This means savings and a reduction in the cost of meat and milk are evident…
Vasily Afanasyevich knows what he is talking about. He has been working in land reclamation for over 30 years and knows how to do his job quickly and efficiently. The experienced team leader does not hide his optimism: in recent months, Gorodokskaya PMS has received a lot of new equipment: two excavators and two MAZ trucks (one with a tractor and one for transporting people), and a powerful "Belarus" tractor is expected soon. This means that all set tasks will definitely be completed.
COMMENT
Ivan LAZOVSKY, Chief Engineer of the State Enterprise "Belvodkhoz":
— Great and responsible tasks have been set for the land reclaimers of Belarus. Last year, within the framework of the subprogram "Development of Land Reclamation for Agricultural Purposes" of the State Program "Agrarian Business" for 2021-2025, enterprises of the country reconstructed land reclamation systems on an area of 29.9 thousand hectares (plan – 29 thousand). This year, a significantly larger volume of work is to be carried out. By the end of the year, 73.3 thousand hectares should be reconstructed. The largest number of systems are to be reconstructed in the Brest and Vitebsk regions. As for the Brest region, out of 668 thousand hectares of drained land, 66.3 thousand require reconstruction – practically every tenth hectare. Therefore, this year, the largest area in the country is planned to be put in order here – 22 thousand hectares.
Considering the significant state
IT WAS SAID
— A third of crop production is produced on these lands, including more than half of the green fodder necessary for animal husbandry. Therefore, the question of whether melioration should exist or not in Belarus is not even being discussed today. My strictest requirement remains the same: every inch of such land must be used for the benefit of the country
Alexander Lukashenko at the plenary session of the republican seminar-meeting on the restoration and use of reclaimed lands, November 11, 2022
Need to Speed Up
During the republican seminar-meeting on melioration issues, it was officially announced: the area of reclaimed lands in Belarus is 37 percent of all agricultural lands - almost 3 million hectares. About 80 percent of the areas are concentrated in the Brest, Vitebsk, Gomel, and Minsk regions. A third of all crop production in the country is produced on these lands, including more than half of the total volume of green fodder for animal husbandry.Sergey Samokhvalov, General Director of Vitebskmeliovodkhoz State Enterprise, cites figures:
— Almost 30 percent of all drained lands onis located in our Vitebsk region. And 37 percent of them have been in use for about 40–50 years. Therefore, we unequivocally support the position of the President, who set the task: within 2–3 years, the plans that were once drawn up for a decade should be implemented. I quote the Head of State: "If we miss another 5–7 years in land reclamation, it will be almost impossible to return," and this is indeed true.
How do the people of Vitebsk plan to fulfill this strategically important assignment? Sergey Samokhvalov explains: in recent years, the pace of work on repairing old land reclamation systems and building new ones in the region has been gradually increasing. But, of course, this is not enough. We need to speed up. After all, while some systems are being reconstructed, others are falling into disrepair due to their long service life.
— The climatic specifics of the northernmost region of the country make their own adjustments, — Sergey Samokhvalov points out. — The winter here is longer, the spring is usually drawn-out, and therefore we have less time for earthworks. Nevertheless, last year we put in order 4.1 thousand hectares of land, and this year we will triple the volume. We plan to reach 12.3 thousand hectares.
Equipment and people are key
Vitebsk land reclamation specialists name the main factors that will allow them to achieve their goals: there are no problems with financing, and the state, within the framework of the republican program, helps district PMCs to carry out a large-scale renewal of their technical parks.— At the end of last year and the beginning of this year, according to the state order, the Kokhanovo Excavator Plant supplied us with 15 energy-intensive excavators. Considering that the last mass renewal of machinery was carried out about 15 years ago, this is colossal support for the industry, — emphasizes Sergey Vladimirovich.
In total, Vitebsk land reclamation specialists have acquired about 40 excavators, bulldozers, low-loaders, tractors, and other equipment. The sources are varied: leasing, preferential credit resources, own funds. The main thing is that all this will allow us tosignificantly increase the pace of work. New units are handed over to the most experienced machine operators and immediately sent to the field – so as not to lose a minute. This year, meliorators have completely abandoned ancillary orders, all efforts are focused on the reconstruction of old and construction of new systems. There are about 50 such facilities in the region's investment program alone.
Currently, over 1300 people work in the structure of KUP "Vitebskmeliorovodkhoz". Usually, the staff increases by the beginning of the season.
— Yes, of course, there is a staffing problem, — the manager does not hide. — But recently it has not been as painful as before. Seeing how interested the state is in the development of the land reclamation industry, people stay to work, and new ones come. Moreover, the salary is now quite competitive. Every year we hire about a dozen young specialists under distribution.
All efforts – for the fields
Over 500 thousand hectares of drained land are accounted for in the Vitebsk region as a whole. Of these, about 50 thousand hectares need reconstruction of reclamation systems. And yet, maintenance work must be carried out on time – mowing and cleaning canals to avoid flooding, maintaining regulatory gates, and dismantling dams built by tireless beaver workers…"Vitebskmeliorovodkhoz" specialists share their observations: every year brings new surprises that cause difficulties. For example, apparently, the general climate change has influenced the fact that grass rhizomes, in search of water, have begun to go deeper by 1–1.2 meters! And as a result, they clog the drainage systems. This must be taken into account.
How much does the construction of a new system cost? Let's calculate: land reclamation of one hectare costs about 7.5 thousand rubles. And the payback period? Taking into account the harvest and the subsequent products in the form of meat and milk – about 10–12 years. Not a bad result. The main thing is to ensure that every reclaimed field, as the President requires, is used efficiently and brings maximum return.dacha.The team leader of Gorodokskaya PMS, Vasily Gubarenko, with whom we met near the village of Reshetniki, Shumilinsky district, thinks the same way:
— We are currently carrying out the construction of a new land reclamation system here. The area is 142 hectares. The facility is located next to a livestock complex, and therefore is very important for livestock breeders – tomorrow, in place of dense thickets, there will be good arable land for growing grains, legumes, and fodder grasses. This means savings and a reduction in the cost of meat and milk are evident…
Vasily Afanasyevich knows what he is talking about. He has been working in land reclamation for over 30 years and knows how to do his job quickly and efficiently. The experienced team leader does not hide his optimism: in recent months, Gorodokskaya PMS has received a lot of new equipment: two excavators and two MAZ trucks (one with a tractor and one for transporting people), and a powerful "Belarus" tractor is expected soon. This means that all set tasks will definitely be completed.
COMMENT
Ivan LAZOVSKY, Chief Engineer of the State Enterprise "Belvodkhoz":
— Great and responsible tasks have been set for the land reclaimers of Belarus. Last year, within the framework of the subprogram "Development of Land Reclamation for Agricultural Purposes" of the State Program "Agrarian Business" for 2021-2025, enterprises of the country reconstructed land reclamation systems on an area of 29.9 thousand hectares (plan – 29 thousand). This year, a significantly larger volume of work is to be carried out. By the end of the year, 73.3 thousand hectares should be reconstructed. The largest number of systems are to be reconstructed in the Brest and Vitebsk regions. As for the Brest region, out of 668 thousand hectares of drained land, 66.3 thousand require reconstruction – practically every tenth hectare. Therefore, this year, the largest area in the country is planned to be put in order here – 22 thousand hectares.
Considering the significant state
state support for the industry and a serious upgrade of the enterprises' technical fleet is an achievable task. As of today, meliorators have received about 100 units of new equipment, and by the end of the year, the country's PMS will receive at least 460 excavators, bulldozers, tractors, and other units.
"SB"