Republic

Gross grain harvest in Belarus approaches 6 million tonnes

The gross grain harvest in Belarus has approached 6 million tonnes. In the morning of August 9, 5.7 million tonnes was harvested, Belarusian Deputy Agriculture and Food Minister Vasily Pavlovsky told BelTA. There is slightly more than 16% of grain crops left to harvest. Specialists believe the grain harvesting will be over by mid-August. Belarus will collect 7 million tonnes of grain, the official was convinced. It is obvious now as since the beginning of the harvesting campaign the average yield has been staying at 30 centners per hectare, exceeding last year’s figures. The highest yield figures are registered in the Minsk oblast — 1.636 million tonnes. The figure in the Grodno oblast stands at 1,075,200 tonnes, the Brest oblast — around 848,000 tonnes, the Mogilev oblast — 803,000 tonnes, the Gomel oblast — 716,000 tonnes, the Vitebsk oblast — 848,000 tonnes. Specialists expect the Minsk oblast to gather in around 1.8 million tonnes of grain, the Grodno oblast — at least 1.3 million tonnes, the Brest and Vitebsk oblasts — 1 million tonnes each. Agricultural companies in the Mogilev oblast will definitely reach the figure, with grain yield exceeding last year’s level by 3 centners per hectare equalling 33.4 centners per hectare. Vasily Pavlovsky said, the harvesting heat has shifted to the Vitebsk and Mogilev oblasts, which still need to harvest 31% and 24% respectively. The daily harvesting progress in these oblasts makes 3.9% and 4.8%. In other oblasts the figures vary from 2% to 2.6%. Yesterday 59,200 hectares or 2.6% of the total area was cropped in Belarus. On the whole, the work is progressing smoothly. The harvesting of brewer’s barley should be accelerated as well as the government purchase of the crop, noted Vasily Pavlovsky. So far only 56,300 tonnes of brewer’s barley has been purchased, 37.5% of the target. Flax harvesting needs paying attention to. The harvesting of rotted flax straw should be accelerated.