The agricultural workers of the Vitebsk region have approached their professional holiday with a good result.
We discussed the preliminary results of the agricultural year and the prospects for the industry's development with Sergey Egorov, the Chairman of the Committee for Agriculture and Food of the Regional Executive Committee.
– In bunker weight, agricultural organizations have threshed 1 million 77 thousand tons of grain (10% more than last year) with an average yield of 31 centners per hectare. The gross harvest of rapeseed amounted to 117.8 thousand tons (+16%), with a yield of 15.7 centners per hectare. 41.2 thousand tons of flax straw have been harvested (+13%).
A quarter of the harvest was formed by the Orsha and Vitebsk districts, each of which exceeded the hundred-thousand-ton threshing mark. The Vitebsk district harvested 118 thousand tons of grain – for the first time in history. It is worth noting separately that in JSC "Vitebsk Broiler Poultry Farm," the gross grain harvest amounted to more than 50 thousand tons, which is higher than that of most districts in the region.
The yield of open-ground vegetables and potatoes is the highest in the country, at 440 centners per hectare and 390 centners per hectare, respectively. 72.6 thousand tons of tubers have been dug up and 13.2 thousand tons of vegetables have been harvested. Production volumes allow for the full satisfaction of the region's needs during the inter-seasonal period and provide surplus resources, including for export.
– This year for the agro-industrial complex of the Vitebsk region has been marked by transformations. How did the created agro-industrial associations perform?
– Seven agro-industrial associations include 142 organizations – agricultural, processing, service, and trade. The area of agricultural land is 770 thousand hectares, or 62% of the regional figure, including arable land – 494 thousand hectares (62.3%).
It is important to emphasize that more than 60 percent of the grain harvest in the Vitebsk region was formed by agro-industrial associations. The growth rate of grain and leguminous crop production compared to last year was 107%, milk – 104%, cattle and poultry meat – 107%. In the total volume, agro-industrial associations produced 58% of grain and leguminous crops, 60% of milk, and 63% of cattle and poultry meat.
Intensive work is currently underway on the reconstruction and modernization of livestock facilities. Funds for these purposes are received both from the special account created within the framework of Presidential Decree No. 70 and are allocated by the parent enterprises of the agro-industrial associations.
– For the stable operation of the livestock industry, a high-quality feed base is necessary. How successful was its establishment for the winter stall period?
– For the public herd, 1125.7 thousand tons of feed units have been procured, or 28 centners of feed units per conventional head of cattle. This is already 18% more than last year's figure. Taking into account the remaining corn harvesting areas, there is full confidence that the target (1233 thousand tons of feed units) for the procurement of a one-and-a-half-year supply of fodder crops will be met.
– In recent years, part of the corn crops has been grown for grain. What result was obtained in the current season?
– 7.56 thousand hectares were allocated for corn for grain, of which 6.8 thousand hectares have been harvested to date. 48 thousand tons of grain have been threshed with a yield of 71.6 centners per hectare. For comparison, last year the gross harvest was 31 thousand tons, with a yield of 62.7 centners per hectare.
Taking into account the remaining harvesting area and the current yield, the gross corn harvest is expected to be around 60 thousand tons, which will be an absolute record for the Vitebsk region.
– How is the renewal of the machinery fleet, construction, and modernization of livestock facilities being carried out?
– 218 units of machinery were acquired during the year. This includes 120 grain harvesting combines and 46 tractors, almost two dozen of which are high-powered.
Regional centers for technical support of complex agricultural machinery have been established. OJSC "Vitebsk Motor Repair Plant" has launched the production of new machinery – soil cultivation and seeding units, seeders, and OJSC "Tiraspol Agrotechservice" – harrows and cultivators. The issue of expanding the range of promising models is also being addressed. District agricultural services and specialized enterprises provide services for the repair and maintenance of machinery.
This year, the construction, reconstruction, and modernization of 44 premises for keeping cattle of different age groups were carried out. 6.4 million rubles were allocated for the work. 12 facilities with a capacity of 1690 cattle places have been commissioned, and six more premises are planned for commissioning by the end of the year.
– How many people are employed in the agro-industrial complex of the Vitebsk region? What is the industry's share in the gross regional product?
– 50.1 thousand people work in the agro-industrial complex of the Vitebsk region. The industry's share in the gross regional product is almost 12%.
– To which countries is our produce exported?
– The products of the Vitebsk region's agro-industrial complex are supplied to 31 countries worldwide. The main share in exports is maintained by traditional markets: Russia (79.5%), Kazakhstan (7.6%), and China (7.4%). For the 9 months of the current year, the export value amounted to 160 million US dollars, which is 9.1% more than in the same period of 2019. Dairy and meat products supplied to foreign markets amounted to 128 and 12 million dollars, respectively; poultry meat and edible offal – 11.5 million; hen eggs – 2 million; confectionery and bakery products – 2 million; vegetables – 1.5 million; flax products – 1.5 million.
– What are the plans for 2021?
– Approaches and main parameters for the development of agricultural organizations for the next year have been determined. The existing production potential, with competent and effective utilization, will allow for a gross output growth rate of at least 105%. A certain groundwork has already been laid. 209.8 thousand hectares of winter cereals and 65.4 thousand hectares of winter cruciferous crops have been sown. Stubble ploughing has been carried out on an area of 117 thousand hectares. Measures are being taken to accumulate organic and mineral fertilizers for spring sowing.
– Sergey Valerievich, what are your wishes to the agricultural workers on the occasion of their professional holiday.
– First of all, I would like to express sincere words of gratitude to all rural workers and employees of the processing industry for their meticulous work, for their dedication to a difficult but honorable cause. And I wish you all strong health and the realization of new creative ideas.
May your daily, fruitful work for the benefit of your native land bring you only satisfaction and joy. May your homes always be filled with well-being, prosperity, and comfort! Happy Holiday!