Belarus President wants harvesting over by mid-August

In Belarus the grain harvesting campaign should be finished by mid-August, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said on July 26 during a video teleconference dedicated to this year’s harvesting campaign progress. The press service of the Belarusian leader told BelTA, the President pointed out that at present grain prices are on the rise in many countries due to the existing unfavourable weather conditions. There is grain in Belarus, it has to be gathered in. “Belarus should count on its own resources and ensure solid food security on its own. From this point of view the present harvesting campaign is of special importance for the country”, said the head of state. The President drew attention to the necessity to keep the price factor in mind and act more effectively in this situation. Experts estimate Belarus’ grain yield at over 7 million tonnes. With almost 40% of the grain crops collected, the President believes it is necessary to do one’s utmost to minimise losses. “I admit I’m worried about the destiny of the harvest. However, collecting the entire bulk has turned out to be difficult,” said the head of state. In his words, many grain crops are beaten-down, while winter and spring crops are ripe and the weather is unfavourable. “If we gather in the harvest well and fast, we will satisfy the country’s demand and will have a certain reserve,” said the President. Alexander Lukashenko demanded cutting down harvesting time to the minimum. Disorganization and limpness are not an option. Every hour of good weather should be used, speed increased, stressed the President. During the teleconference the governors of the six oblasts of the country told the President about the harvesting progress in the regions, harvesting speed, certain difficulties some regions face. On whole, the harvesting campaign is said to be progressing without any particular problems. The head of state was informed about efforts exercised by Belkoopsoyuz [the Belarusian Union of Consumer Cooperative Societies] to buy agricultural products from individuals as well as the logistics support for this year’s grain and forage harvesting. Alexander Lukashenko pointed out the importance of introducing efficient farming agriculture practices taking into account local peculiarities across the country. Some crops should be grown in the places these crops will grow best, said the head of state. Alexander Lukashenko expressed confidence, this year’s government procurement of grain will be fulfilled. He also noted, this year it is necessary to lay a stock of grass forage to last for a year and a half. The President said, this year it is inadmissible to import brewer’s barley without a special permission of the government. “I’ll instruct the government for brewers to buy barley to store it, even more than the planned 150,000 tonnes,” said the head of state. Minsk Mayor Mikhail Pavlov informed the President of Belarus about measures taken by Minsk City Hall to prepare agricultural products for the autumn-winter period of 2007-2008. The President approved the idea to build a modern facility for storing vegetable products in Minsk. Such a facility will keep Minsk dwellers supplied with quality products all the year round. According to Alexander Lukashenko, Belarus’ natural conditions allow satisfying the country’s demand with home-grown potato, vegetables, fruits and berries. “We are capable of buying what people want to sell and of processing it,” said the President. He noted, this year’s beet yield will exceed three million tonnes in Belarus. The entire harvest should be processed, with surpluses sold. With that in mind additional markets to sell sugar have to be found soon. The President said it was important to redeploy combine harvesters from southern parts of the country to the northern ones and tasked the Prime Minister with planning it. The state will not decrease investments in agriculture, said Alexander Lukashenko. Yet he stressed, money will be apportioned for paying projects only, including import-substituting ones, as well as special programmes. According to the President, starting next year production subsidies to agricultural companies will be halved and one year later no subsidies will be granted. State budget funds will be provided for the sake of implementing special programmes only. Primarily governors will be in charge of distributing such resources. “The money will be spent on building up the material base of agricultural companies only,” said the President. “We will no longer guzzle away money. Peasants should understand it clearly. Nobody should expect we will hand out the money. There is no spare cash”. The President demanded that grain dryers should use as much locally available fuels as possible. The state will not provide natural gas at preferential prices for the grain dryers. “We should dry grain with firewood-burning dryers, with gas used in exceptional cases. I demand you should stop drying grain with hydrocarbon stock within the next one-two years,” said the Belarusian leader. The head of state demanded that timely payments for products grown on subsidiary plots and sold to the state should be ensured. “People should be able to easily sell home-grown products at normal prices. It is important not to be late and help rural Belarusians gather in home-grown harvest in time. Usually it makes over half a million tonnes of grain. It is a lot. It is important to collect it and make part of the state economy,” said the President. Local authorities should find opportunities to allocate grain harvesters to private subsidiary plots. Meanwhile, harvesters should enjoy the best possible conditions. The President said, “If we demand they should work almost round-the-clock, let’s take care of them so that they wouldn’t complain”. The President believes, it is necessary to engage the entire organisational and material potential of the state and entrepreneurs in the harvesting campaign. The President pointed out the need to apply a quality approach to sowing. Belarusian agricultural companies should start ploughing soon after the grain harvesting is over. Generally, Alexander Lukashenko was satisfied with the organisation of the harvesting campaign in Belarus. This year’s harvesting started with the best organisation on record. “And without any pushes on my part,” noted the President. Results of the harvesting campaign will be summed up in Rechitsa during a harvesting festival-fair Dazhynki 2007.