Miory Regional Executive Committee
The agricultural sector's task is to phase out traditional farms over the five-year period and construct technologically advanced dairy complexes. This was stated by the President of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, during a visit to the robotic dairy complex "Pavlinka" at the "Yubileyny" agro-combinate in the Orsha district, a BELTA correspondent reports.
Initially, Alexander Lukashenko inquired with the director of the "Yubileyny" agro-combinate, Alexander Firsin, regarding the progress on implementing previously issued directives. The discussion focused primarily on the equipment of the machinery yard, which the President had visited during one of his working trips the previous year.
The enterprise head reported that all commitments had been met and the required repairs completed. Currently, the facility has everything necessary for the proper upkeep, servicing, and repair of machinery.
Addressing the regional and district leadership, the Head of State made several operational remarks regarding the current situation in the fields.
The "Pavlinka" dairy complex, which the President visited, is designed for 2,400 head of cattle. At present, 2,240 head are housed there. Milking within the complex is performed using modern robotic systems. The facility was commissioned in June 2021. The total cost of the four first-phase complexes amounted to Br 71.5 million.
Admittedly, this is not the most economical complex, a point to which Alexander Lukashenko specifically drew attention. The President remarked that while there is no prohibition against constructing such facilities if a farm can afford them, he had directed authorities several years ago to identify a cost-effective and high-quality model suitable for implementation nationwide.
Citing the example of the "Rodina" farm in the Belyanichy district, the Head of State recalled its director, Alexander Lapotentov. "There was no unnecessary extravagance, yet the farm remains highly profitable," he observed.
"I expect us to construct optimally designed complexes," the President stated, addressing the overall approach to developing livestock facilities across the country.
"Our task is to transition away from these outdated farms over the next five-year plan. We need to build technologically advanced complexes that are affordable. (Not palaces, of course.) We need to return to pricing. We must determine the cost of a complex," Alexander Lukashenko said.
"Twenty-five percent of our milk production comes from these farms. All these cows must be relocated to such complexes. We need to determine the optimal cost for an optimal complex. I am not saying it should be cheap or expensive. A penny-pincher pays twice. However, there are no surplus funds," the Head of State emphasized once again. "In the next five-year plan, the entire dairy herd must be transferred to complexes equipped with modern technologies."
The Minister of Agriculture and Food, Igor Brylo, reported on the current situation in agriculture, paying particular attention to the livestock sector. According to him, milk production in the country is on the rise, and the growth rate will continue to increase. Meat production volumes are also expanding across all regions.
The President first asked about the status of resolving pressing issues.
"First. I am receiving complaints that you are prohibiting farms from selling barren cows that have not been milked for two to three years. Why are you doing this? Why are you keeping them there just to show a certain headcount figure?" Alexander Lukashenko asked.
Deputy Prime Minister Leonid Zayats assured that such a practice does not exist in the country. Igor Brylo added that if any such instances had occurred, they were isolated and the decisions were made at the local level.
"Very well, we will look into it. God forbid we discover even a single such case. This is unacceptable," the Head of State emphasized.
He also inquired about the statistics on livestock mortality.
"Over six months, we have reduced unproductive losses by 21,000 head, or 76%. Within these unproductive losses, mortality accounted for 48% (a decrease of 3.4% compared to last year's level). We have also reduced farm-level slaughter by 13,000 head, which was also classified as mortality," the minister reported.
"And what target percentage are you setting for attrition?" Alexander Lukashenko clarified.
According to Igor Brylo, the established target for technological losses stands at 1.7%. The actual result is 1.4%, which is 0.1 percentage points lower than last year's level.
"Right, listen, you need to be awarded orders," the President remarked.
"For instance, it is still too early to award the Gomel region. It is also still too early for the Mogilev region, meaning there is still work to be done. But the downward trend will continue," the minister stated.
During a visit to a robotic dairy complex, Alexander Lukashenko familiarized himself with the technology for housing and milking cattle. The director of the "Yubileiny" agro-combine, Alexander Firsin, briefed the head of state on plans to construct new complexes. He drew attention to the problem of lengthy approval of design documentation. "It is simply impossible to build. I spend three months preparing the project, and then four months going through expert review," the agro-combine director noted.
"Build as you see fit. I have told you a thousand times: put an end to this bureaucracy," the President instructed the Vice Premier. "These matters must be resolved today. You will be held accountable for the delays. A decision has been made regarding housing: if a person wants to build a private home in a village or a city, go ahead and build it as you see fit. I tell him right now: go and build it as you see fit. But he is not psychologically prepared, asking what is required of him. Start pouring the foundation tomorrow and proceed with construction."
At the farm, the head of state also sampled finished products from the "Yubileiny" agro-combine and other enterprises of the Orsha district.-0-