The results of agricultural work will be assessed based on efficiency and profitability - A. Lukashenko

On August 9, Minsk /BelTA correspondent/. The results of agricultural work will be primarily assessed based on efficiency and profitability. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko stated this on August 6 during a working visit to the Vitebsk region, BelTA was informed by the press service of the Belarusian leader. The President once again drew attention to his main requirement – increasing the efficiency of farming. "Gross yield and other things are good, but efficiency is needed. Let's calculate how much money has been invested and what the profitability will be," he said. "I emphasize that I will not be assessing based on pace and yield. The main thing is the effect we will get from grain, milk, and meat. All calculations must be based on this." The Head of State also drew attention to the issue of high-quality harvesting of feed and agricultural crops. In his opinion, this needs to be given paramount importance. During his visit to SPC "Mayak Braslavsky," Alexander Lukashenko was informed about the progress of the harvesting campaign in the country. According to the Minister of Agriculture and Food Mikhail Rusy, as of August 6, almost 6 million tons of grain have been harvested in Belarus. Simultaneously, winter sowing is underway in the country. As for winter rapeseed, seeds have been fully procured, and a decision has been made to increase the sown areas of this crop. As noted by the Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee Alexander Kosinets, 70% of the areas have already been harvested in the Vitebsk region, with an average grain yield of 22.1 centners per hectare. One of the main problems of the Vitebsk region remains the low contouring of fields. The Governor assured the President that the harvest this year, in barn weight, will be equal to last year's. Alexander Lukashenko instructed to accelerate the implementation of the republican program for the development of the flax industry. It must be completed within the current and next years. He noted that in previous years, insufficient attention was paid to this area. "Nothing has changed: the same people, practically everything is the same, and flax has been grown in such weather. There were better years, but they weren't growing it. They didn't know how to cultivate it? They did. They were negligent. Therefore, if 60 thousand tons are required, everything must be done to close this issue this year and next, and we will no longer talk about long fiber," said the Head of State.

As reported to the President, flax harvesting is nearing completion in the country. Good quality of this crop is noted in Gomel, Vitebsk, and Brest regions. As an experiment, two fields were sown using French technology. As Mikhail Rusy noted, approaches to flax cultivation in Belarus will be significantly changed. The President set the task to procure the necessary equipment that will enable an increase in the quality of produced flax fiber. "New lines must be installed at flax mills, and the best ones should be chosen. And then these lines should be manufactured domestically," said Alexander Lukashenko. Currently, the depreciation of fixed assets at flax mills is quite high. New equipment from Belgium is planned to be delivered to three flax mills in Mozyr, Orsha, and Gomel. The Head of State demanded to double the production output at these plants. As for finished flax products, large warehouse stocks still remain. He noted that the demand for linen fabrics is high, and recently supplies of such fabrics to Russia and Europe have increased. The second facility visited by the Head of State during his working trip was the "Drivyaty" recreation center of the "Braslav Lakes" National Park. The President familiarized himself with the infrastructure and organization of the center's operations. Commissioned in 1998, it occupies an area of 3.8 hectares, which accommodates three residential buildings with almost 100 beds, a restaurant, a banquet hall, a Russian banya, a cultural and wellness center, and other infrastructure facilities. As reported to Alexander Lukashenko by the Governor of Vitebsk Region, Alexander Kosinets, it is planned to actively develop recreational opportunities both at the Braslav Lakes and in the region as a whole. Currently, there are almost 300 agro-ecotourism estates operating in the Vitebsk region, and their number is expected to increase to 500 in the near future. In addition to state funds, investor capital is actively attracted to the development of tourism infrastructure. In Alexander Lukashenko's opinion, solving the road problem will create additional opportunities, including for attracting investors. In the Braslav Lakes region, it is planned to develop a network of roads that will connect the lakes. The "Braslav Lakes" National Park is one of the most valuable natural sites in Belarus. Its territory represents almost all species of flora and fauna characteristic of the Belarusian Poozerie. Then the Head of State communicated with holidaymakers at "Drivyaty", among whom were quite a few Russians, including Muscovites. Alexander Lukashenko noted that guests from Russia are always warmly welcomed in Belarus. "Some people in Russia want us to quarrel, but I say - you won't live to see it. Whatever films they make there, whatever they write, it will not be possible to make Belarusians and Russians quarrel," he said. In the opinion of the President, Russian capital could participate in the creation of tourist infrastructure facilities on the Braslav Lakes, and subsequently even more Russians could come here for holidays. One of the Muscovite holidaymakers at "Drivyaty" thanked Alexander Lukashenko for the fact that Belarus pays great attention to preserving the memory of the Great Patriotic War. She noted the presence of a large number of monuments and memorials, which are cared for and maintained in good condition. According to the Head of State, partly to preserve the memory of the events of those years, a decision was made to build a new building for the Museum of the Great Patriotic War in Minsk. -0-

BELTA