On February 28, Vitebsk / Olga Bogacheva - BELTA /. The Vitebsk region must prepare for spring field work by March 15. This task was set today at a meeting by the Chairman of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Alexander Kosinets, to the heads of districts, according to a BELTA correspondent. The total financial requirement for sowing campaign in the region amounts to Br1.8 trillion, including Br198.3 billion for the purchase of fuel and lubricants (excluding the enterprises' own funds), and Br185 billion for the purchase of protection agents. The readiness of machinery currently ranges from 77% to 85%. Regarding its operation, the Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee emphasized the need for full utilization of high-power tractors and careful handling of machinery. He prohibited its write-off until all measures for restoration have been taken. "If a machine has completely exhausted its service life, hand it over to the village councils," the governor stressed. The Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee also instructed to develop a set of measures to counteract fuel theft and falsification during the harvest period. "During the sowing campaign, 30%-40% of diesel fuel is stolen. Such facts must be completely eliminated," he said. In addition, it is necessary to take care of the working conditions of machine operators in advance: consider the organization of hot meals, provision of workwear, and other issues. In particular, before the start of the sowing campaign, it is necessary to clear bush vegetation from the fields. The focus of managers during the spring field work should be on the thrifty use of mineral fertilizers, discipline, and strict adherence to labor protection requirements by employees. The total sown area in the Vitebsk region in 2012 will be 873 thousand hectares, including 500 thousand hectares, or 57.3%, for grain and leguminous crops. 120 thousand hectares (13.7%) are allocated for technical crops, potatoes - 5 thousand hectares (0.6%), open ground vegetables - 1.8 thousand hectares (0.2%), and fodder crops - 246.2 thousand hectares (28.2%). -0-

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