– Alexander Petrovich, you are not from here; you have been heading the district since March. Have you managed to learn about the potential of Chashniki land?
– I am originally from the neighboring Lepel District. I knew a little about Chashniki District. Upon arriving here, I was surprised by the number of industrial facilities. The Lukomlskaya GRES alone is worth mentioning, as is the Lightweight Aggregate Plant! After reading about its history, I also learned a lot. In Ivansk, for example, there was once the estate of the local magnates Volodkovich, who owned a significant part of the district's lands. The "Krasnaya Zvezda" paper mill belonged to them before the revolution. Horse breeding was practiced in Chashniki land. It was interesting to learn about the Chereyskoye Principality, the Holy Trinity Church, etc.
The people around also helped me get to know Chashniki land. The people of Chashniki are very hospitable and responsive. My deputies also help a lot, each in their own role. Almost all of them are locals, so they care about their native district and want it to look respectable at the regional and national levels.
– When you were appointed to your position, the Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee, Alexander Subbotin, set you the task of increasing the investment attractiveness of the district and developing the agricultural sector. What has been done in this regard?
– Many investment projects in the district were developed before I took office. Among the main ones is the investment project in the field of woodworking by OOO "WoodenKit". It envisages the construction of sorting, log debarking, sawing and vacuum drying lines, and the production of furniture board. "WoodenKit" will be located on the territory of the former Chashniki Inter-district Base. The reconstruction of this building has been underway for two years. The enterprise has attracted direct foreign investment amounting to 3 million dollars. It is planned to create up to 150 jobs.
Also, the issue of transferring the buildings of the Grinkovskaya school and the Olsansky kindergarten to the Chashniki Mineral Fertilizer Plant, registered last year, for the organization of sapropel and fertilizer production is currently being worked out. 100% of the manufactured products are planned for export. At least 50 jobs will be created.
The construction of the Lukomlsky Canning Plant, established for the production and sale of fruit, vegetable, and fish products, is planned for completion in 2024. This project is under special supervision, and my performance will be evaluated based on its execution. We will continue the plant construction, I believe, as early as this autumn.
Regarding the social sphere, the construction of a new Sports and Recreation Complex with a swimming pool in Chashniki is a priority. Its construction began in 2014 using funds from the local budget. Recently, we were included in the state investment program, and 840 thousand rubles were allocated. The opening of the Sports and Recreation Complex is scheduled for September 10th – Chashniki City Day.
The most ambitious project in agriculture is the construction of the Tyapino Livestock Complex (4th commissioning stage) by PRozemle-Agro OJSC. This year, we plan to complete the facility for raising young stock. A small amount of work remains. Additionally, we expect the completion of a 1,000-head capacity Livestock Complex in Ivansk by Ivansky-Agro OJSC.
– It is currently a busy time for grain growers. How is the harvest progressing in the Chashniki district?
– For grain growers, this is the time to reap the "fruits" of a year's work. And when you get a good harvest, it is perhaps the most rewarding. It means it was all worthwhile.
This summer, a total of 12,800 hectares of grain and leguminous crops need to be harvested in the Chashniki district. The majority, around nine thousand hectares, are winter crops, which yield more than spring crops. I do not want to get ahead of myself, but according to forecasts, we may exceed last year's results this year. The gross harvest is 31 thousand tons. The harvesting is proceeding as planned.
The Head of State has placed particular emphasis on the inadmissibility of grain losses. I would like to note that strict control over the harvesting campaign has been established at the district's agricultural enterprises. Mobile groups comprising specialists from various fields have been formed. Designated personnel and equipment from some district industrial enterprises are involved in grain transportation and loading. Responsible individuals from the district executive committee, including my deputies, have been assigned to specific farms. In most cases, they are not merely supervising but providing necessary assistance with the harvest. Now, with the current uncertain global food situation, we must do everything possible to maximize the filling of our country's granaries. We are also fulfilling the state order: approximately 1,000 tons of cruciferous vegetables have already been delivered.
Naturally, the focus is on the agricultural workers, those who create the country's food security through their diligent labour. I would like to note that all workers are provided with workwear, hot meals are organised for them during the harvest season, and those who achieve the best results are consistently rewarded. At the same time, monitoring of the harvest progress is underway, and disciplinary compliance is being controlled. We must fulfil the set tasks and complete the harvesting from the fields qualitatively and within optimal deadlines.
We must not forget about the future harvest today. Approximately 60% of the land for winter rapeseed has already been ploughed. The task is to sow 1700 hectares of winter barley.
– Chashniki District is a region with beautiful nature, it has many attractions and historical monuments. I know that several tourist routes have been created. In what other direction will tourism develop in the district?
– The nature of the Chashniki region is amazing and beautiful. It is an excellent place for organising recreation. There are quite a few agro-ecotourism estates here. Mostly near Lake Lukomlskoye. There is a good plot on the shore of this reservoir; a boat station was located there a few years ago. It is an excellent place to create a recreation centre, like a yacht club, with a pier and special hangars for boats. We are looking for an investor.
In addition, there is a health resort from "Vitebskenergo" and the "Yunost" summer camp, where three buildings have recently been renovated, and a mini-football pitch has appeared. Repair work will continue in the autumn. The camp is heavily booked; it was impossible to buy a voucher this year.
Considering a possible reorganisation, the issue of closing the school in Krasnoluki is being considered. Of course, it is always regrettable when an educational institution ceases to operate in a village. However, for 33 pupils, it is more economical to arrange transportation to a neighbouring school. Meanwhile, the school building is in excellent condition, so we plan to open a 24-hour camp for about 60 people on its basis. We will convert the classrooms into rooms. There is a good canteen, a stadium, and a sports hall. We will purchase the necessary equipment and consider how to organise summer health improvement not only for the children of Chashniki but also for those from other districts.
– Upon your appointment, Alexander Subbotin was asked in which year the festival-fair of agricultural workers "Dazhynki" would be held in Chashniki. It is planned for 2025. Which facilities will the authorities pay attention to first?
– Everyone is eagerly anticipating "Dazhynki" in Chashniki. By that time, we will have a new significant facility, a sports complex – the FOK. Additionally, the list of "Dazhynki" objects will include some residential buildings requiring major repairs, and roads. I believe that paving all of them, even within the town, is a considerable undertaking. Incidentally, this year, in May-July, sections of the road at the entrance to Chashniki from the Novolukoml side were completed.
Preparations for "Dazhynki" must be made in advance. This includes carrying out landscaping work, for example, on adjacent territories, using our own resources.
We are gradually carrying out school repairs in the district. Within the framework of energy saving measures implementation in 2022, approximately 80 thousand rubles were allocated from the republican budget, and over 100 thousand from the district budget. Doors and old windows were replaced with PVC in practically all schools.
I believe that many young residents of Chashniki would like a new Civil Registry Office building to be constructed in the town. Currently, it is an annex in the local hotel. We will see how the situation develops.
– What about the bus stations in the district center and Novolukoml? After all, you must agree, their appearance is not very modern.
– The bus stations in Novolukoml and Chashniki are part of the branch "Transport Enterprise No. 14 of Lepel". I hope that by "Dazhynki" we will find the funds to modernize them somewhat. After all, a bus station is the face of the town. I want the residents of the district to feel comfortable in their homeland.
- Thank you for the conversation.
Source: vitebsk-region.gov.by