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14 November 2018, 19:24

Russia's Irkutsk Oblast to test Belarusian CNG grain harvester

BREST, 14 November (BelTA) – Made by the Belarusian mechanical engineering company Gomselmash, the grain harvester Palesse GS4118K powered by condensed natural gas (CNG) will be tested in Russia's Irkutsk Oblast in 2019. The plans are stipulated by the agreement signed by the company and the Irkutsk Oblast Agriculture Ministry during the third session of the working group on cooperation between Belarus and the Russian region in Brest on 14 November, BelTA has learned.

Irkutsk Oblast Agriculture Minister Ilya Sumarokov explained: “Upon instructions of the oblast governor we've looked into the possibility of using agricultural machines powered by natural gas. Their trials have already been held in Belarus and Russia's Tatarstan Republic. Certainly, there are many factors to take into account such as timely refueling, gas delivery and so. We've chosen an agricultural company with the necessary infrastructure and a natural gas refueling station nearby. This is why a Gomselmash harvester powered by natural gas will be tested next year. We will use the test's results to calculate the economic advisability of using such vehicles.”

Sales of Belarusian tractors in this Russian region are expected to increase. In 2017 the region bought 126 Belarusian tractors, 15% up from 2016. A grant program to support farmers is available in Irkutsk Oblast. They are viewed as the main customers since most of them buy tractors of Belarusian make. A total of 2,026 Belarusian tractors are in use in Irkutsk Oblast. The share of Belarusian machines stands at 53%.

Agribusiness is viewed as a promising avenue of bilateral cooperation. A program on building and modernizing dairy farms will be launched in Irkutsk Oblast next year. Belarusian manufacturers of milking equipment and cattle pen equipment are invited to participate.

The possibility of assembling grain drying plants made by the Belarusian companies Amkodor and Brestselmash in the Russian region is under consideration. The cost of transportation is the only concern. Centralized subsidies for buying grain dryers may become available next year since the lack of grain-drying machines results in considerable harvest losses.

Brest Oblast Governor Anatoly Lis noted that in 2017 Brestselmash signed an agreement with OAO Oblagrosnab on setting up a joint enterprise in Irkutsk. Since then the Russian company has bought the necessary equipment, prepared the premises, trained the personnel, and signed a contract on buying a pilot batch of grain drying plants. “I am confident the agreements reached during today's meeting will allow us to continue constructive cooperation in this sphere, too,” said Anatoly Lis.

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