The task for the agricultural sector is to move away from farms and build technologically advanced dairy complexes within the next five-year period. This was stated by the President of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, during his visit to the robotic dairy complex "Pavlinka" of the agro-combine "Yubileyniy" in Orsha district, as reported by a BELTA correspondent.
First of all, Aleksandr Lukashenko inquired from the director of the agro-combine "Yubileyniy", Aleksandr Firsin, about the progress in fulfilling previously given instructions. This primarily concerned the equipment of the machine yard, which the President visited during one of his working trips last year.
The head of the enterprise reported that all agreements had been fulfilled and the necessary repairs had been carried out. The facility now has everything required for the proper maintenance, servicing, and repair of machinery.
The head of state made a number of working remarks to the leadership of the region and the district regarding the current situation in the fields.
The dairy complex "Pavlinka", where the President visited, is designed to accommodate 2,400 head of cattle. Currently, it houses 2,240 head. Milking at the complex is carried out using modern robots. The facility was commissioned in June 2021. The total cost of the four launch complexes amounted to Br71.5 million.
Certainly, this is not the cheapest complex, and Aleksandr Lukashenko paid special attention to this factor. The President noted that if a farm can afford it, then no one forbids building such farms, but several years ago he instructed to determine a project that is optimal in terms of price and quality and can be used throughout the country.
The head of state cited the experience of the "Rodina" farm in Belynichi district as an example and recalled its director, Aleksandr Lapotentov. "There was no ostentation, and the farm is profitable," he remarked.
"I want us to build optimal complexes," said the President, referring to the approaches to the development of livestock complexes across the country as a whole.
"Our task is to move away from these primitive farms in the next five-year period. We need to build technologically advanced, inexpensive complexes (not palaces, of course). We need to return to the price. We need to determine the cost of a complex," said Aleksandr Lukashenko.
"We milk 25% of the milk on these farms. All these cows need to be moved to such complexes. The optimal price for an optimal complex needs to be determined. I'm not saying it should be cheap/expensive. Penny wise, pound foolish. But there is no spare money," the Head of State emphasized once again. "In the next five-year period, the entire milking herd must be technologically transferred to complexes."
The Minister of Agriculture and Food, Igor Brylo, reported on the situation in agriculture, with particular attention paid to the livestock industry. According to him, milk production is growing in the country, and the dynamics will increase. Meat production volumes are also being increased in all regions.
The President first inquired about the resolution of problematic issues.
"First. I receive complaints that you prohibit 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 to have a livestock number, barren cows?" Alexander Lukashenko asked.
Vice-Premier Leonid Zayats assured that there is no such practice in the country. If such cases occurred anywhere, they were isolated, and these decisions are made locally, Igor Brylo added.
"Alright, we'll sort it out. God forbid we find even one such case. This is unacceptable," the Head of State emphasized.
He also inquired about the figures on livestock mortality.
"We have reduced non-productive culling by 21 thousand, 76%, over 6 months. In this non-productive culling, mortality accounted for 48% (minus 3.4% compared to last year's level). We have reduced slaughter on farms by 13 thousand, which was also mortality," the minister informed.
"And what percentage are you targeting for culling?" Alexander Lukashenko clarified.
According to Igor Brylo, the set target for technological losses is 1.7%. The actual result is 1.4%. This is 0.1% less than last year's level.
"Well, listen, you deserve medals," the President remarked.
"Let's say it's too early to award medals to the Gomel region. It's still too early for the Mogilev region, meaning there is still work to be done. But the trend towards reduction will continue," the minister stated.
During his visit to a robotic dairy farm, Alexander Lukashenko familiarised himself with the technology for keeping and milking cattle. The Director of the "Yubileiny" agro-combine, Alexander Firsin, informed the Head of State about plans for the construction of new complexes. He also highlighted the issue of lengthy approval processes for project documentation. "It's impossible to build at all. I spend three months on a project, and then four months on expert review," the agro-combine director noted.
"Build as you see fit. I have told you a thousand times: stop this bureaucracy," the President demanded of the Deputy Prime Minister. "These issues must be resolved today. You will be held accountable for delays. A decision has been made regarding housing: whether a person wants to build private housing in a village or in a city, they should go and build as they see fit. I am telling him now: go and build as you see fit. But he is not psychologically ready, he says he doesn't know what is required of him. Start pouring the foundation tomorrow and build."
At the farm, the Head of State also tasted the finished products of the "Yubileiny" agro-combine and other enterprises in the Orsha district.-0-