MINSK, 2 August (BelTA) – Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko criticized civil servants for failures in the preparations for this year's harvesting campaign at the nationwide teleconference held on 2 August to discuss the harvesting campaign in 2017, BelTA has learned.
Prime Minister Andrei Kobyakov said that the majority of farms are prepared for harvesting today. However, 30% have chronic problems. The president instructed to pay more attention to those 30% of farms because it is inadmissible to lose 30% of the harvest. He also told government officials to leave their offices and visit farms more often.
Alexander Lukashenko stressed that members of the government, local officials responsible for the harvesting campaign should fulfill their tasks. “We have provided all the necessary things to farms. The entire country is involved,” he said. “Set concrete tasks and fulfill them.”
The president emphasized that grain harvesting should be completed by 20 August. “We should not lose what we have. We can harvest enough fodder, get good money. There are high prices for foodstuffs. We can solve financial problems of farms and farmers,” Alexander Lukashenko said. He also asked not to use weather conditions as an excuse. He pointed out the importance of using local fuels at grain drying complexes.
The head of state urged to reach the grain yield of 45 centners per hectare as soon as possible. The yield of rape should reach 25 centners per hectare, that of corn should make up 120 centners per hectare. Another strategic crop is flax, the president said.
Alexander Lukashenko stressed that it is important to minimize crop loss during the harvesting campaign. The head of state also focused on the quality of Belarusian farm equipment.
Alexander Lukashenko stressed that salaries at agricultural enterprises should be paid on time.
He also spoke about the work of presidential aides. He urged them to travel across their regions more often.
