A. Lukashenko has instructed to thoroughly check the readiness of agricultural organizations for spring field work.

On April 1, Minsk Region / Vladimir Matveev - BELTA /. During a working trip to the Minsk Region, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko instructed to thoroughly check the readiness of agricultural organizations for spring field work, BELTA correspondent reports. In particular, the head of state paid special attention to the degree of readiness of equipment and the conditions for storing mineral fertilizers. As reported to the President by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Mikhail Rusy, this year the country's agricultural enterprises will be provided with mineral fertilizers at 100% for the first time. In general, the storage of imported mineral fertilizers is organized at the proper level, however, the head of state demanded to focus attention on negative facts. "Look fundamentally at all farms and act in the harshest way. Today everyone is crying: write off loans, - and expensive fertilizers are lying under the open sky," said Alexander Lukashenko, addressing the Chairman of the State Control Committee Alexander Yakobson. At the same time, he stressed that there is no need to travel around the country in brigades, but it is necessary to ask fundamentally in each region from two to three people. The President also demanded to report to him on the fulfillment of previously given instructions on the readiness of agricultural machinery. According to Alexander Yakobson, the readiness of the machinery is from 92% to 96%. "This is machinery, this is people's lives, and this is an expensive thing," emphasized Alexander Lukashenko. "Take selective control and look in individual districts, especially in those that concern us the most, without touching those where they work normally." Reacting to Alexander Yakobson's remarks that the staffing of agricultural organizations with machine operators across the republic is about 88%, Alexander Lukashenko stressed that the governors should deal with this issue, but the machinery must be prepared and be in perfect condition. Moreover, he noted that the intensified state control in this matter is justified, as it was the state that allocated funds for the purchase of machinery. "If he (the head of the agricultural enterprise. - Ed. BELTA) buys it with his own money, well, God be with you. When it's with his own money, he will store it like a personal car," noted Alexander Lukashenko, adding that otherwise, strict control is necessary in this matter, so that there is no need to spend huge funds on purchasing new equipment.

Overall, the Head of State noted that the state will continue to support agricultural producers in terms of technical equipment, but the volume of this support should be reduced. "We cannot provide support to the agricultural sector in the same way today as we did in previous years," the President said, noting that almost $50 billion was spent on these purposes over the past five-year period. "This is a huge amount. There should be no excesses," he stressed. Alexander Lukashenko believes that farms that have already received support and are working more or less well should gradually purchase the necessary equipment themselves. "We need to focus on this. And we will help," said the Head of State. As reported to the President by Mikhail Rusy, spring field work in the country has begun in full. Intensive fertilizing of winter crops, rapeseed, perennial grasses, and pastures is underway. Agricultural organizations are provided with seeds and mineral fertilizers in the required quantities. Sowing machinery is also in a high state of readiness. According to the minister, about 600 high-power tractors will be additionally involved in sowing this year, with a total of about 4.8 thousand available throughout the republic. The situation with the loss of winter crops in the fields is also within the normal range. Where necessary, resowing will be carried out, for which there are more than 60 thousand tons of seed stocks. Alexander Lukashenko noted that this issue also needs to be approached pragmatically. "We will sow, and the remaining seeds must be sold. Keep for yourselves the minimum amount you need, and from the new harvest, we will fully restore this seed fund," he said. In general, according to Mikhail Rusy, Belarusian farmers plan to complete the sowing of early grain crops by May 1, flax by May 5, potatoes and corn by May 9. Alexander Lukashenko specifically drew attention to the need to increase agricultural production in the country and improve its efficiency due to the fact that demand for these products in neighboring and other countries will only grow in the future. "If we make agriculture profitable within five years (without state support. - BELTA note), the country will thrive. When we reach 10-12% profitability in agriculture annually, we will forget that we have problems in the land," the Belarusian leader concluded.-0-

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