Gomel region farmers start sowing campaign

Gomel region collective farms have got down to the spring sowing campaign. In 12 out of 21 districts certain land plots are prepared for sowing. So far 1,500 hectares have been cultivated. Bragin district has already managed to sow 10 hectares with oats, head of the plant cultivation department of the region administration’s agriculture and food committee Mikhail Kolesnikov told BelTA. He said, only 5 per cent of the region’s machinery is used due to excessive soil moisture. The wide-scale early grain sowing campaign will be launched in mid-April at the earliest. This year Gomel region plans to sow 332,000 hectares with spring crops. In certain areas (15,000-25,000 hectares) dead winter crops will be re-sown. The region’s farmers have stored enough seeds and fertilisers, reached agreements for additional supplies of fuel and lubricants. According to the sowing schedule the deadline for early head grain is April 25. The spring sowing campaign is to end on May 15 (potato and corn included). The region has all the resources to accomplish the task, said Mikhail Kolesnikov.