13 December, Orsha /Olga Belyavskaya - BELTA/. In 2012, 228 dairy farms are to be reconstructed in the Vitebsk region, as reported to journalists by the Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Alexander Kosinets, according to a BELTA correspondent. This will be the first phase of a large-scale project for the development of dairy farms in the region. Its implementation will allow for an increase in the dairy herd from 41 thousand to 54 thousand heads. "We have taken on the task set by the President with increased commitments and plan to implement the second phase in 2013 to build new facilities for almost another 50 thousand heads, in addition to the reconstructed blocks, by relocating inefficiently used buildings and structures," said Alexander Kosinets. These will be modern farms with new milking parlours and high productivity. The implementation of this large-scale project will enable the region to produce about 1.45 million tonnes of milk per year. The first phase of the project will require Br501 billion, and the second phase - Br1.4 trillion. Farms should strive to carry out the modernization of dairy farms using their own funds. "Farm managers have already started considering their own funds, profitability, net profit, and are looking at how to reduce production costs and increase output," summarised Alexander Kosinets.-0-

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