KHOINIKI DISTRICT, 22 July (BelTA) – This year's grain harvest in Belarus will allow ensuring the national food security in full measure. Belarusian Agriculture and Food Minister Leonid Zayats made the statement during his working trip to Gomel Oblast on 22 July, BelTA has learned.
The official said that to ensure Belarus' food security, it is necessary to gather in at least 8.4 million tonnes of grain, of which 1.1 million tonnes will be put into state reserve storage, 6.7 million tonnes will be utilized as forage and 600,000 tonnes will be put aside as seeds. “There is no doubt we will be able to accomplish the task. Besides, we will get a certain amount of grain for export,” he said.
As of 22 July about 9% of the lands under cereals and leguminous crops was harvested in Belarus. The total grain yield stood at 660,000 tonnes, with the average yield per hectare at 32.5 centners, 4.5 centners up from 2015. Gomel Oblast agricultural enterprises are the leaders of this year's harvesting campaign, with one third of the grain fields processed in Gomel Oblast. Leonid Zayats awarded certificates of merit and valuable gifts to the top performers.
The award ceremony took place in the field. Addressing the awardees, Leonid Zayats mentioned that the Belarusian agriculture successfully does its job. “The people, who work in the fields and at farms today, have done a lot for it. I thank you for your hard labor that plays the crucial part in ensuring the country's food security,” stressed the Belarusian Agriculture and Food Minister.
