A. Lukashenko sets the task of creating a system for the effective use of small energy facilities using local types of fuel

Modifications of boilers running on local fuels, as well as a new boiler capable of generating thermal and electrical energy from wood waste and milled peat, were demonstrated to the President. Its capacity is 3 MW, which allows for the production of 2.5 MW of thermal energy and 250 kW of electrical energy. Many enterprises of "Belenergo" are already showing interest in this innovation.

"There is a sample of the new boiler, but there is no system for switching to local fuels," said Alexander Lukashenko. "We need to create such a system, to teach people how to work. Otherwise, it turns out that the boiler is good, everything is connected and done, but the approach to it is still the Stone Age."

In this regard, the head of state instructed to create a system in the country for enterprises to switch to local fuels. Alexander Lukashenko instructed that the necessary work be carried out, without forgetting about the arrangement of the adjacent territory, including the area for storing the fuel itself. Thus, a new work culture should be created at the modernized enterprises.

Alexander Lukashenko familiarized himself with the specifics of the activities of NPP "Belkotlomash" and visited the production workshops. "We are developing boilers that run on local fuels," said Viktor Kravchenko, director of "Belkotlomash". "Moreover, their efficiency is much higher than that of gas boilers. For example, the cost of generating 1 Gcal in a boiler running on milled peat is Br158 thousand, and on gas – Br240 thousand." Recently, the enterprise has been expanding its production. If in 2010, 86 boilers were produced here, then in the current year, their number will increase to 110 units. In 2015, it is planned to increase this figure to 200 units.

In addition to domestic consumption, the products of NPP "Belkotlomash" are actively exported. Kazakhstan, Ukraine, and Russia are showing interest in them. Currently, the enterprise has a representative office in St. Petersburg, and in the future, "Belkotlomash" plans to open its representative office in Moscow.

"If earlier we worked only for the domestic market, then problems in the currency market forced us to sell products more actively for export, thereby earning currency to purchase imported raw materials," noted Viktor Kravchenko, explaining that the enterprise buys metal from Russian suppliers.

Alexander Lukashenko advised the head of NPP "Belkotlomash" to offer customers their services for installation and further maintenance when selling boilers.

Regarding the development of energy in the Vitebsk region as a whole, the Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Alexander Kosinets, informed the President about it. In particular, he reported that by 2013, the region plans to increase the share of local fuel types in the utility sector's balance from the current 59.8% to 75%. "Initially, we planned to reach this indicator by 2015, but now we are setting an ambitious goal - to achieve a share of local fuel types in the utility sector's balance of up to 75% by 2013," said Alexander Kosinets. He also informed the President that the Vitebsk region is already ahead of other regions and the country as a whole in this indicator. For example, the share of local fuel types in the balance of Belarus's utility sector is 40.8%, while in the Vitebsk region it is 59.8%. By 2015, this indicator for the country is planned to be at the level of 54.5%. "We couldn't do it before because we didn't have the necessary boilers," explained the governor of the Vitebsk region. "But now we are ready to completely change the structure of the fuel balance." Alexander Kosinets reported that a programme for the development of small-scale energy in the Vitebsk region is currently being developed. In the future, it is planned to build 68 such energy facilities in the region. According to Alexander Kosinets, the implementation of the planned development of energy based on local fuel types will allow for a twofold reduction in natural gas consumption by 2015. The next topic of the President's working day was the development of poultry farming. According to the Programme for the Development of Poultry Farming in the country, it is planned to double poultry meat production by 2015, including not only traditional types such as chicken, duck, and goose, but also ostrich and turkey. Thus, the volume of poultry production is expected to reach 568.7 thousand tonnes, and eggs - 2743.4 million pieces. It is planned that the profitability of poultry meat production over this five-year period will be 26.6%, and will reach 40% in 2015. In 2006-2010, this figure was 16.5%. Thus, the growth in poultry production volumes over 5 years will be 77%. The President visited the Belarusian-Russian joint limited liability company "Vitkonprodukt", where he familiarised himself with the technological process of hatching day-old broiler chicks and raising poultry meat using intensive resource-saving technologies.The enterprise, established in 1998, specialises in the rearing of broiler chickens. The broiler rearing facilities are equipped with modern watering, feeding, and climate control systems, enabling the rearing of up to 8.5 million chickens per year. Broiler chickens are raised on energy-balanced and vitamin-enriched feed, without the addition of hormonal preparations or antibiotics. To reduce the import of day-old broiler chicks, the enterprise operates an incubator equipped with the latest environmental equipment from a Dutch firm, with a production capacity of 14.5 million day-old chicks per year. This has made it possible to fully meet the demand of SOOO "Vitkonprodukt" for hatching stock. For instance, 8.4 million day-old broiler chicks were incubated in 2010, and 2.8 million chicks in January-April of this year. This incubator is the only one of its kind in Belarus. The enterprise has begun the construction of a facility for rearing parent stock to supply its incubation facilities with hatching eggs. The enterprise plans to produce 16.7 thousand tonnes of poultry meat this year. 5.4 thousand tonnes of meat were produced in the first quarter. It is planned that the volume of poultry meat product output this year will amount to Br97.3 billion. A significant portion of the enterprise's products is supplied for export. Alexander Lukashenko noted that supplies to the domestic market should be a priority. Broiler chickens account for 45% of the enterprise's products, offal for 9%, deep-processed products for 14%, and semi-finished products for 32%. In addition, SOOO "Vitkonprodukt" is involved in pig farming and operates a compound feed plant. The enterprise's immediate plans include the creation of an agroholding. By 2015, it is planned to produce 45 thousand tonnes of poultry meat and pork annually. As reported to the head of state, the volume of investments in the enterprise's development over 5 years amounted to Br38 billion, with a profit of Br36 billion.

At SP "Vitkonprodukt" LLC there is a workshop for the production of smoked-boiled and sausage products with a capacity of 150 tons per month, which allows for the production of over 30 types of meat products. Production capacities are utilized at 100%, and the volume of meat product sales for 2010 amounted to almost Br96 billion. SP "Vitkonprodukt" LLC became the winner of the regional competition for the best entrepreneur of 2010 in the food production sector. Since 2011, the enterprise's products, namely broiler chicken meat and natural chilled semi-finished poultry products, have been granted the right to be marked with the "Natural Product. Belarus" sign.

Alexander Lukashenko was pleased with what he saw and noted that the presented production structure could be taken as a model for the republic.

The President positively assessed the head's work. "No one will say that we do not have private entrepreneurs in agriculture," added the head of state.

Touching upon the topic of private business operations in Belarus, the President noted that he sees great prospects for its development in the country. "Only sick people can say that the President does not need private entrepreneurs," remarked Alexander Lukashenko.

Addressing the head of the enterprise, Vladimir Nekrashevich, the President said: "What drives you? It's your life, your livelihood. My job is only to ensure the rights of the individual, the holding's head, and all people. I dream of focusing solely on human rights, to ensure a decent salary, and so that no one can come and say: you know, I like this – give it to me, as happens with our neighbours." Alexander Lukashenko added that "we don't seem to have that."

"Yes, they don't like us, because they feel that we are competitors, and they will try to stifle us in every way. They will try to stifle us at "Eurovision," like that girl yesterday. Well done! Everything coincided: her behaviour, her face, and the song. She sang the anthem of Belarus. Who would let the anthem of Belarus through? Therefore, they are putting pressure there, and they will put pressure here," said the head of state.

At the same time, he believes that the main result is that today "there are queues for Belarusian products."

Characterizing the previous day of his working trip to the Mogilev region, the President again focused on the four directions of agricultural reform.

Furthermore, the President is focused on opening production facilities that yield quick profits. Alexander Lukashenko recalled a visit to a fruit storage facility at OJSC "Alexandriyskoye" the previous day and their experience in growing oyster mushrooms. At that time, the Head of State decided to build a mushroom production plant. This is an efficient production with a hundred percent profitability, requiring almost no investment. "The demand for this product is enormous. And this is quick money. Three people work there, but look at the return from production," said the President. "If there is demand, then we must produce. We need to look for opportunities to make quick money."

The Head of State once again spoke about the Shklovsky district as a unique model of farm management for other regions of the country. "I think it makes sense to take a closer look at the Shklovsky district. We have somewhat intuitively, somewhat systematically, arrived at what is needed. This is one of the ways to do things. This year, almost all farms in the Shklovsky district will operate profitably and without subsidies," the President emphasized. He also added that there are districts where the state has invested, but has not yet seen the desired return. The Shklovsky district is performing well this year, so the Head of State believes that other regions of the country can adopt this farm management structure.

As for the Vitebsk region, Alexander Lukashenko praised Governor Alexander Kosinets for significant progress in agriculture. "There are striking shifts in the Vitebsk region in terms of farming practices. But there is still work to be done," noted the Head of State. "If you work everywhere as you do in the areas I have flown over, then this is a major shift. But this is only half the job. Everything else must be done this year." "Farming practices must be up to standard. Nothing should be built on arable land," he added.

At the same time, Alexander Lukashenko issued a stern warning about the unacceptability of mismanagement. "As soon as we discover mismanagement, we will immediately cut all state programs by that amount," the President stressed.

The Head of State also inquired about land reclamation in the region. Alexander Kosinets reported that 25 teams are engaged in land reclamation in the region, with over 220 units of equipment involved. However, there is a need for qualified specialists and equipment.-0-

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