On September 16, Minsk /BelTA correspondent/. Belarus will allocate Br17.9 trillion in preferential loans for the development of the dairy industry in 2010-2015. The corresponding Decree No. 480 "On Certain Issues of Dairy Industry Development" was signed by the President of Belarus on September 14, BelTA was informed by the press service of the head of state. Thus, Br10.1 trillion is allocated for the construction of dairy farms, Br3 trillion for the reconstruction of farms, Br3.2 trillion for the construction and reconstruction of premises for young cattle, and Br1.6 trillion for the construction, reconstruction, and modernisation of milk processing enterprises. These measures are planned by the Republican Programme for the Development of the Dairy Industry in 2010-2015, approved by the head of state. The programme envisages an increase in milk production in agricultural organisations by 1.46 times to 8.1 million tonnes by 2015 compared to 2009, with 7.4 million tonnes of milk raw materials to be supplied to processing enterprises. The growth in milk raw material production is planned to be achieved both by increasing the cow population to 1.35 million and by improving their productivity to 6,000 kg per year, or by 1.27 times compared to 2009. For these purposes, it is planned to construct 476 dairy farms for 342.5 thousand cattle places, reconstruct 1,256 farms for 416.3 thousand cattle places, as well as construct and reconstruct 2,172 premises for young cattle. In 2015, the total milk processing production capacity will reach 8.2 million tonnes per year. Cheese production will amount to 180 thousand tonnes (as of January 1, 2010 – 140 thousand tonnes), dry milk products – 270 thousand tonnes (161 thousand tonnes), whole milk products in terms of milk – 2,000 thousand tonnes (1,938 thousand tonnes). Measures for the rational use of whey (its volume in 2015 will be about 2.4 million tonnes) are also envisaged. The decree comes into force from the date of its official publication. -0-

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