MINSK, 16 March (BelTA) - Belarusian Prime Minister Roman Golovchenko urged to take timely measures to get prepared for the spring field work as he spoke at a meeting of the Presidium of the Council of Ministers in Minsk on 16 March, BelTA has learned.
According to the Agricultural Business program, the crops and livestock production is projected to increase by 2.4% in 2021 over 2020. “For this, the agricultural industry needs to conduct the spring planting campaign at a high organizational and technological level. However, the analysis of the situation shows that not all regions are taking necessary measures. Mineral and organic fertilizers are under-supplied. We have the greatest concerns for Vitebsk Oblast, Mogilev Oblast and Gomel Oblast. Such a situation is unacceptable. The Belarusian chemical enterprises are well positioned to meet the mineral fertilizers supply schedule," Roman Golovchenko said.
In accordance with the resolutions by the head of state and the government, the spring field work in 2021 will be financed from the budget (Br311 million), preferential bank loans (Br561 million), and loans at a subsidized interest rate under the state procurement programs for the provision of advances (worth about Br250 million). “In 2021 the government has worked out proposals for additional funding of these works in the amount of up to Br300 million and submitted them to the head of state. These funds will be earmarked to purchase more mineral fertilizers and fuels. The government has also submitted to the president a proposal to provide additional support in the amount of 57,000 tonnes of fuel, which will be repaid from the budget,” the prime minister added.
According to Roman Golovchenko, a number of regions are having difficulties with the timely preparation of the machine and tractor fleet for the spring field work. “The task is to ensure the readiness of machinery at least at the level of 95% by 25 March. There are however reasonable doubts that this task would be accomplished by all the regions. For example, the readiness of tractors is at 83% in Vitebsk Oblast, 88% in Mogilev Oblast and 92% in Gomel Oblast. The readiness of combined tillage machines stands at 83% in Vitebsk Oblast, 84% in Gomel Oblast and 85% in Mogilev Oblast,” he said.
“Today's meeting of the Presidium of the Council of Ministers aims to consider and clarify the situation related to the preparations for the planting campaign,” the prime minister stressed.
Photos by Andrei Pokumeiko
