Miory Regional Executive Committee
Why do some farms achieve record grain harvests, milk yields, and weight gains, while others chronically underperform? Why are law enforcement agencies becoming involved in the issue of livestock mortality? Is it true that rural workers are paid meagerly and that young people lack interest in the agro-industrial complex sector? Where should qualified personnel for animal husbandry be sourced?
In the project “From the Editor-in-Chief”, we discuss with Sergey Levkovich, First Deputy Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee, the reorganization of agricultural enterprises, an anti-crisis roadmap for farmers in the Vitebsk region, the construction of cow palaces, scandalous videos on social media and criticism on TikTok, as well as whether it is truly time to abandon agriculture in the northern region.
Today, a single information stream comfortably accommodates both the struggle for the harvest, honest and hardworking rural workers, selfless heroes who have labored from dawn till dusk for years, aromatic loaves of bread, and extra-grade fresh milk, alongside high-profile criminal cases concerning negligence, mismanagement, and livestock mortality, justified criticism from the President, and remarks from TikTok “experts” who are quick to film, either out of “goodwill” or for the sake of hype, an “unfortunate cow in terrible conditions”. So what is the actual situation in the agro-industrial complex sector in the Vitebsk region?
Twenty days make a difference, but not everything
– Historically, the Vitebsk Region has the lowest population density in the country. Furthermore, this northern region of our country features some of the least fertile soils. The growing season is 20 days shorter than in the southern regions. These 20 days are genuinely decisive. And these are not just words, but average indicators confirmed by specialists, – notes Sergey Levkovich, highlighting the baseline parameters that establish the working conditions for the entire sector in the region.
However, “weather dependency” for farmers, while significant, is far from the most pressing problem. The issue of staffing the agricultural sector requires much more attention and effort.
– I cannot say that the situation with personnel is so critical; there are ways to solve this problem as well. In rural areas, with the right approach, both urban residents and inhabitants of district centers can work. People need to be attracted to agriculture, but it is necessary to create conditions for them. It is no longer the time when livestock farmers milked into barrels on linear setups at old farms, and the main means of mechanization was a horse, – emphasizes Sergey Viktorovich. – A modern agrarian worker must have days off and a decent salary. Yes, we cannot avoid mass seasonal work during the sowing or harvesting campaigns. During this period, maximum concentration and dedication from everyone, and primarily from machine operators, are required. But even under these difficult conditions, heads of agricultural organizations must take into account the wishes of people. This is already an industrial approach to labor organization: each person has their own defined area, volume, and direction of work; this applies to veterinarians, zootechnicians, and agronomists.
Reducing losses?
Livestock preservation is one of the most sensitive issues for animal husbandry. And not only in the Vitebsk Region. Reports of animal deaths, especially on a large scale, cause resonance in society, indignation, and bewilderment. Why does this happen and who is to blame? Sergey Levkovich is convinced that it is important to fight for the life of every calf and that it is necessary to reverse the situation where hiding losses in the cattle herd is considered normal.
– The head of state keeps this issue under control for good reason. This is not just about love for animals. This is our economy, our prosperity. This matter is also on the government’s agenda. Obviously, the veterinary service requires special attention, not only regarding survival rates but also other quality indicators of livestock farming. The future of agriculture lies with cattle. In our region, there are not many highly specialized agricultural enterprises that raise poultry or pigs. More than 160 farms in the region are engaged in dairy cattle breeding. They all differ in financial and economic indicators, which ultimately affect workers’ salaries. Without livestock retention, there is no income. That is the essence of the matter, noted the First Deputy Chairman, emphasizing that, unfortunately, some managers had long developed a practice of concealing animal deaths, and it became systemic. And now, with the participation of law enforcement agencies at least, this problem is being brought to light, although not everyone likes it.
– No one wants things to get worse. The sooner we, as agrarians, understand that herd survival must be addressed specifically: calves require certain conditions, proper care, feeding, vaccination against diseases if necessary, treatment, the faster we will overcome this difficult moment, Sergey Levkovich pointed out, adding that the foundation of this process is the personnel responsible for looking after the calves. He reported that serious work is being carried out in this direction.
– We monitor every operator involved in raising young calves. We are aware of their wage levels and require that these workers receive decent pay. This is demanding work, as each calf requires an individual approach. However, physical capabilities remain limited, regardless of motivation, sense of responsibility, or clear understanding of tasks. Accordingly, we track the workload assigned to each employee and the maximum number of animals they can effectively manage, – stated the head of the agricultural sector of the Vitebsk Region, noting that calf housing conditions are steadily improving. Old facilities are being renovated, new dairy complexes (DCs), prophylactic farms, and individual housing units for young livestock are being constructed. The Regional Executive Committee has authorized the procurement of cattle vaccines using budgetary funds, and efforts are underway to form vaccination brigades based on veterinary stations and our dairy processing plants. Strict control is maintained over vaccine usage and the consumption of veterinary medicines.
According to Sergey Levkovich, the path to stable and profitable operations does not require advanced technologies or overly complex solutions. To achieve positive outcomes in livestock farming, it is necessary to ensure that the milk yield of the milking herd reaches at least 16 kg per cow, maintain average daily weight gains of 700 g
across all farms, strengthen discipline, and strictly monitor compliance with the minimum standards for cattle housing and feeding technologies.
Agricultural Action
The current harvest campaign in the Vitebsk Region could easily serve as the subject of a feature film. It would focus on honest and selfless labor, on people who truly love their profession and are driven by results, on mutual assistance and support, and on the ability to find solutions in the most difficult situations. Meanwhile, special effects and the main plot twists are determined by weather conditions.
– This year, we have faced unprecedentedly extreme conditions. The weather simply does not allow us to harvest quickly and efficiently. The predominant soil type in the Vitebsk region is clay-loam, which retains moisture, causing machinery to literally get bogged down. Due to waterlogged soils, combines may need to traverse the same field multiple times. It is only possible to return to problematic areas after several dry spells. Tracked equipment has proven effective under such conditions, but this is no panacea. This season, high-horsepower tractors are widely deployed during harvesting to provide towing assistance for combine harvesters when necessary. Another limiting factor is that grain transport vehicles cannot operate directly on the fields. To unload the hoppers, tractors are brought alongside them, or the combine drives out to meet the truck. All of this, consequently, entails additional expenditures: time, fuel, and human resources, explains the expert, adding that during such a challenging period, agricultural workers demonstrate themselves as a highly cohesive team that remains resilient despite all difficulties and achieves results, while specialists seconded from other enterprises also work with full dedication.
Every effort is being made to harvest every single grain; a true battle for the crop is underway. The selfless labor of agricultural workers deserves special recognition; the primary expressions of gratitude and well-deserved awards will be presented upon completion of the campaign. Harvesting is currently in its final stage. Nearly 90 percent of the sown area has already been collected.
A sense of unity and mutual support during the harvest in the Vitebsk region is stronger than ever. Colleagues from other regions of the country are stepping in to assist our agricultural workers. To accelerate harvesting progress, nearly fifty additional units of equipment have been deployed to supplement the close to one thousand combines operated locally, with contributions arriving from the Minsk, Grodno, and Mogilev regions.
– The harvest is shaping up quite well. Threshing of winter rapeseed reached 92.4 thousand tons; taking spring rapeseed into account, the total yield for this crop stands at 104 thousand tons. Execution of the state order is currently in its final stage. The yield of grain crops amounts to nearly 32 c/ha,
which is 9 c higher than last year’s level, noted Sergey Levkovich.
Anticrisis map
Sergey Levkovich notes that the Vitebsk region has many competent managers and promising agricultural professionals, with whom the further development of the sector is planned. They are ambitious and aim not merely to work, but to achieve concrete results. He is personally acquainted with almost all heads of agricultural enterprises in the region and has a clear understanding of the potential and prospects of the enterprises they lead. As proof of his words, he presents a substantial folder – a sort of anti-crisis map of the agro-industrial complex of the northern region. Analytics have been compiled for each district and agricultural enterprise, where leaders or growth points (which are not necessarily financially successful at present) are marked in green. Those in the red zone have vague prospects, and their path to recovery lies in reorganization.
– Restructuring and reorganization of agricultural organizations are inevitable. I can state that changes await a considerable number of farms. For each such agricultural enterprise, mechanisms for its continued operation have already been developed. We are giving priority to options for merger with stronger entities. However, there is a very fine line here, and such a process cannot proceed spontaneously. We conduct a detailed and meticulous examination prior to reorganization to avoid deteriorating the situation or losing a strong enterprise. We operate in a targeted manner. We provide support to integrator farms, primarily through the procurement of new agricultural machinery, construction of new mechanized complexes, support in organizing spring and autumn sowing campaigns, as well as provision of fuel and mineral fertilizers, – Sergey Levkovich explained, adding that options are being studied for all such investor farms into which it is expedient to invest. Information is collected and analyzed for each regarding the number of existing farms, the number of complexes planned for construction, and the target productivity levels to be achieved, based on existing competencies. This anti-crisis map is not a dogma – circumstances may change, and if an enterprise exits the red zone in the near future, alternative development scenarios will be sought for it.
It is important to understand that the reorganization of an agricultural enterprise does not entail its liquidation. The primary objectives are to retain the workforce, scale and optimize production, and enhance the financial stability of both underperforming holdings and integrator farms. Without support and the modernization of the material and technical base, it is impossible to discuss the development and prospects of the agro-industrial complex in the country’s northern region, the expert stressed.
When will the agro-industrial complex become a sector for professional self-realization
Sergey Viktorovich is convinced that the direct head of an agricultural enterprise plays the key role in the agrarian sector.
– The responsibility placed upon him is immense, and expectations from all sides are extremely high: ranging from the workforce to managers at various levels. For me personally, this category of agricultural personnel is a priority. Consequently, a competent farm director in the region will always receive comprehensive support.
The First Deputy Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee noted that many local managers have grown accustomed to citing staffing shortages. They claim that farm operations are technologically optimized and they are willing to offer competitive salaries, yet qualified personnel are simply unavailable. However, why did one manager successfully recruit six veterinarians into his team simultaneously, while another attributes low milk yields and poor livestock retention to a lack of veterinarians, despite being unable to attract or retain even a single specialist over six years of operation?
Sergey Levkovich does not deny that the shortage of qualified specialists is indeed a reality. There is always a need for competent zootechnicians, veterinarians, and agronomists.
– Fundamental tasks regarding the industry’s staffing are currently being established. In the Vitebsk Region, home to one of the nation’s premier higher education institutions—the Academy of Veterinary Medicine—excusing shortcomings solely through a lack of personnel is simply unacceptable. We possess a substantial pool of qualified specialists, the First Deputy Chairman stated, adding that tangible progress in this area has already been achieved.
– This issue needs to be addressed on a targeted basis. In each district, there are specialists with higher veterinary education who, for example, work in construction, housing and communal services, trade, and other sectors. Even if two or three of them return to work in their field at an agricultural enterprise, that is already a positive outcome. There are cases where specialists provide veterinary services under a service contract. It is not uncommon today for individuals to enter the agricultural sector after gaining experience in trade or the social sphere. We cannot compel anyone to work against their will; people require decent working conditions: a clear schedule, weekends off, and competitive pay – and this falls squarely within the responsibility of the agricultural enterprise director, which, unfortunately, is not always fully understood.
First and foremost, the composition and quality of his team depend on the director himself, specifically on his ability to attract young talent to the organization, motivate them (not solely through financial incentives), and inspire them when needed. The performance metrics for an agricultural manager are directly proportional to the number of targeted educational placements provided by the enterprise and the successful retention of young specialists following their mandatory initial employment period.
– The most important thing is that a novice agricultural worker must have the desire to work. It is no secret that graduates possess varying levels of training; they require extensive instruction, guidance in certain areas, investment in the professional development of young individuals and their competencies, and sometimes merely adopting a paternal attitude is sufficient. After all, alongside working conditions and financial compensation, a crucial element is the respectful treatment of specialists and all staff members. Only then will agriculture become a field for the professional self-realization of experts, – concludes Sergey Viktorovich.
Building palaces and driving wedges
A substantial body of work remains concerning the modernization of livestock housing facilities. At present, there is a large number of farms, frequently situated at considerable distances from one another. The President has repeatedly addressed the issue of outdated "enkas" (cow barns shaped like the letter "n") during meetings and practical seminars, and under his initiative, modern and technologically advanced complexes have begun to be referred to in the press as palaces. This may create the impression among the general public that nearly royal conditions are necessary for effective livestock farming.
– We currently have approximately 410 farms, some of which simply need to be demolished. Organizing operations there in compliance with modern standards is practically unfeasible. Therefore, we are pursuing new models for livestock housing organization. We are constructing modern dairy complexes and bringing new facilities into operation. There is a specific list of agricultural organizations where such projects are either underway or planned. This year, approximately 14 dairy complexes are being constructed, providing the necessary conditions for animal housing, – the expert clarified.
New complexes are not a panacea. The key factor lies in their operational efficiency and the expertise of the personnel employed there. The outcome ultimately depends on the individual specialist, their qualifications, knowledge, and dedication.
– Competency enhancement programs are already underway, with training sessions organized at leading agricultural enterprises both within the region and country, as well as internationally, – noted Sergey Levkovich.
Livestock housing constitutes merely one component of successful and economically viable animal husbandry. Equally important is the prevention and treatment of diseases. In this regard, the Vitebsk Region benefits from favorable circumstances: a robust scientific school operates at the Academy of Veterinary Medicine, and the production of domestic veterinary pharmaceuticals has been established at BelVituNipharm. However, as traditional farming wisdom states, a cow’s milk yield is directly linked to its feed. Animal productivity largely depends on the ration provided. Ensuring a complete and balanced diet independently, under conditions of risk-prone agriculture—and particularly so in the context of a northern region—represents a challenge that, while not inherently complex, nevertheless demands considerable effort.
Achieving a stable gross grain production volume of 1.1 million tons has proven difficult. Each year, we encounter various adverse weather events: droughts, flooding, or frost damage to crops. Moreover, harvesting these crops without losses during prolonged rainy periods remains a considerable challenge. Under such conditions, agricultural work is demanding, yet a rational approach and competent analysis help navigate these circumstances and optimize the planting structure. Sergey Levkovich noted that priority should be given to winter grains (primarily wheat) and corn. In the Vitebsk Region, successful cultivation of spring grains is not always achievable, as outcomes heavily depend on weather conditions; therefore, there is a concerted effort to replace them as much as possible with the so-called “queen of fields.”
“I believe that the work currently underway will enhance efficiency and deliver positive results in agriculture. The Vitebsk Region holds substantial potential. It is the responsibility of each of us to carry out our duties conscientiously. Our personnel understand what needs to be accomplished. Ensuring the implementation of initiatives that guarantee tangible results is my task,” summarized the First Deputy Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee.
P.S.
One might assume that after such a thorough examination of the most pressing challenges facing the agro-industrial complex in the Vitebsk Region, the discussion could be concluded. Nevertheless, there will inevitably be readers and subscribers who, upon hearing this rhetoric, will recall viral videos showing distressed livestock on abandoned farms, the difficult circumstances of agricultural enterprise employees, perceived injustice, and managerial negligence. Audiences respond positively to such footage, which accumulates a substantial number of views. The creators of these widely publicized reports pursue different motives: some seek publicity and comment activity, others wish to take revenge on former or current management, while for some it serves as an expression of deep frustration.
We also asked Sergey Levkovich whether such criticism on social media resonates with him and how it should be addressed.
– Criticism in the information space has been and will be. If the Internet is used for manipulation and to resolve personal matters, that is one thing. However, if criticism is well-founded, identifies and highlights problems, then regardless of how unpleasant it may be, it proves beneficial. When it addresses substantive issues, it makes a very strong impression. Our people are showing what is actually taking place here. Individual facts inevitably cause outrage. I strive to get to the root of the problem: determining what we must do to prevent such occurrences in the future.