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"After the Fact: Lukashenko’s Decisions"
For Belarus, the development of the pig industry is of particular importance. In all regions there are large pig breeding complexes that supply pork domestically and internationally. However, the outbreak of African swine fever in 2013 put the industry at risk. Other problems accumulated over time too. The pig industry in Belarus was still in a difficult situation. Aleksandr Lukashenko had to take this issue under his personal control, and only thanks to timely measures, the situation was gradually stabilized. Now farmers are optimistic about the future. In a new episode of BelTA’s YouTube project “After the Fact: Lukashenko’s Decisions” we will tell you what the current situation at pig farms in Belarus is. Why do pig farms use “milk taxi” and why do pigsties smell... vanilla? What is the strategy for the development of ultra-modern pig breeding? Do the Belarusians really risk losing the opportunity to have shashlyk picnics? To find answers to these questions, we visited one of pig farms. It turned out to be more difficult to get there than to a nuclear power plant. Now we will tell you all about it.
How much pork does Belarus produce?
Every year Belarusians consume about 295,000 tonnes of pork, and local enterprises satisfy the domestic demand fully. The bulk of meat is produced at industrial pig complexes. There are a little more than 90 of them in Belarus. On average, each of them can accommodate about 20,000-25,000 head. These are quite compact farms, but they have proved themselves to be the best option in our country.
However, Aleksandr Lukashenko is convinced that the Belarusian pig industry has much better prospects. In order to improve its performance, the president suggested modernizing pig complexes, observing elementary technological and labor discipline, intensifying breeding and pedigree work and improving mixed fodder recipes. The president called biological protection of pig farms a task of national importance.
“There must be a specific program to bring these complexes back into shape. Otherwise, we will not be able to produce even a kilogram of pork and to have a shashlyk picnic in the countryside. Farms are worn out, obsolete morally and physically. Let's think about a centralized program of reconstruction of our pig breeding complexes and construction of new ones,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said at a meeting to discuss pig industry development in September 2023.
Some six months later the head of state repeatedly urged farmers to work for the future and instructed to develop a 10-year program for the development of ultra-modern pig farming in Belarus. “It should embrace everything: progressive genetics, fodder, eco- friendliness. The goals are very ambitious: maximum processing and export expansion,” the president noted.
Such a strategy for the development of ultra-modern pig farming in Belarus was approved. Its priorities include the construction of new pig farms, improvement of breeding and pedigree work, development of feeding rations for pigs taking into account their breed and productivity, introduction of digital surveillance system in production facilities, creation of large agricultural holding companies, which will include land, feed mills, meat processing, trade organizations.
“Last year, Belarus produced more than 413,000 tonnes of pork. We fully meet the domestic demand for this product. Nevertheless, a new task has been set. We have developed a strategy to switch to ultra-modern pig farming by 2034. To this end, we plan to build about 12 new modern pig farms; four of them are designed for over 100,000 head. If everything goes as planned, we will be able increase pork production by 80,000 tonnes. Thus, the total pork output will be about 500,000 tonnes,” said Natalya Sonich, Head of the Directorate for Intensification of Livestock and Fish Production at the Agriculture and Food Ministry.
What is ultra-modern pig farming?
But what does ‘ultra-modern pig farming’ mean and what kind of digital surveillance systems will be installed at pig farms? For example, now in order to track the weight of an animal, it must be taken to the scales. This causes a certain stress for piglets. Therefore, in the coming years, digital devices will be installed in piggeries to scan the animals and identify the smallest deviations from the weight norm. But, as practice shows, it is one thing to have technology, and another to know how to use it. And the president has also raised this question.
Every year Belarusians consume about 295,000 tonnes of pork, and local enterprises satisfy the domestic demand fully. The bulk of meat is produced at industrial pig complexes. There are a little more than 90 of them in Belarus. On average, each of them can accommodate about 20,000-25,000 head. These are quite compact farms, but they have proved themselves to be the best option in our country.
However, Aleksandr Lukashenko is convinced that the Belarusian pig industry has much better prospects. In order to improve its performance, the president suggested modernizing pig complexes, observing elementary technological and labor discipline, intensifying breeding and pedigree work and improving mixed fodder recipes. The president called biological protection of pig farms a task of national importance.
“There must be a specific program to bring these complexes back into shape. Otherwise, we will not be able to produce even a kilogram of pork and to have a shashlyk picnic in the countryside. Farms are worn out, obsolete morally and physically. Let's think about a centralized program of reconstruction of our pig breeding complexes and construction of new ones,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said at a meeting to discuss pig industry development in September 2023.
Some six months later the head of state repeatedly urged farmers to work for the future and instructed to develop a 10-year program for the development of ultra-modern pig farming in Belarus. “It should embrace everything: progressive genetics, fodder, eco- friendliness. The goals are very ambitious: maximum processing and export expansion,” the president noted.
Such a strategy for the development of ultra-modern pig farming in Belarus was approved. Its priorities include the construction of new pig farms, improvement of breeding and pedigree work, development of feeding rations for pigs taking into account their breed and productivity, introduction of digital surveillance system in production facilities, creation of large agricultural holding companies, which will include land, feed mills, meat processing, trade organizations.
“Last year, Belarus produced more than 413,000 tonnes of pork. We fully meet the domestic demand for this product. Nevertheless, a new task has been set. We have developed a strategy to switch to ultra-modern pig farming by 2034. To this end, we plan to build about 12 new modern pig farms; four of them are designed for over 100,000 head. If everything goes as planned, we will be able increase pork production by 80,000 tonnes. Thus, the total pork output will be about 500,000 tonnes,” said Natalya Sonich, Head of the Directorate for Intensification of Livestock and Fish Production at the Agriculture and Food Ministry.
What is ultra-modern pig farming?
But what does ‘ultra-modern pig farming’ mean and what kind of digital surveillance systems will be installed at pig farms? For example, now in order to track the weight of an animal, it must be taken to the scales. This causes a certain stress for piglets. Therefore, in the coming years, digital devices will be installed in piggeries to scan the animals and identify the smallest deviations from the weight norm. But, as practice shows, it is one thing to have technology, and another to know how to use it. And the president has also raised this question.
“Of course, we will provide support and assistance. But we are not going to waste money. And we don’t want to have anything to do with those who do not want to work. Not because I am mean, but because there is no other way: we must preserve the country. I am still surprised that we can sit and talk about pig farming today when the situation around us is so turbulent. We talk about shashlyk picnics, other things. People in other countries have other concerns than that, even in rich countries,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said at the national seminar on livestock farming in 2023.
“Therefore, you should keep in mind that we don’t have money to waste. Every penny should be accounted for. I am not saying that we will scale something down. We are thrifty people. I do not demand the impossible from you in agriculture. You just need to eliminate the existing bottlenecks. Solve the problems that are on the surface. This will be good enough for people of our generation,” the head of state said.
Biological safety at pig farms
In order to protect animals from diseases and stress and to increase pork output, enterprises need to keep up with new production trends and constantly improve. This is what they do at the Bolshevik-Agro farm. In 2016, a pig-breeding complex with a designed capacity of 24,000 head per year and a feed mill were built at the enterprise using Israeli technology.
“First of all, ultra-modern pig farming is all about production technology. This includes the development of innovative farm-specific pig-breeding techniques, treatment and vaccination protocols and, of course, pig-keeping technologies. This includes the microclimate, the watering system, and breeding. Today we use three main European breeds - Yorkshire, Duroc and Landrace. And the complex has practically switched to the so-called F2 selection (reverse crossbreeding). It means that it combines the best properties of each breed: average daily weight gain, survival rate and birth rate. As a result, the product quality is several times better than if we used purebred livestock,” Director of Bolshevik-Agro Oleg Upenik said.
In his words, very strict requirements are imposed on food production in Belarus, including veterinary, sanitary and technological ones, which ensures high-quality production. “Today, it will probably be hard to find better products in the post-Soviet space as well as in Europe because of food production requirements our country observes, including veterinary, sanitary and technology requirements,” the head of the farm said.
It is more difficult to get inside any pig breeding farm in Belarus than a nuclear power plant. It is forbidden to enter a pig farm without a special permit from the Department of Veterinary and Food Supervision. You can get it only if you comply with all the veterinary requirements. We have such a permit.
Having a permit is not enough, however. You cannot bring personal belongings into the clean zone where the animals are kept. Our equipment was treated under ultraviolet light for two hours, and we had to take off all our clothes, including underwear, take a shower and put on uniforms. Only then did we enter the pig farm.
The same rules apply to the personnel. Showers are mandatory at the start and the end of the day. It is necessary to hand in all jewelry and personal belongings. Hands and footwear must be disinfected before visiting each sector.
“The personnel disinfection station plays a major role in biosecurity. Everything should be done properly there. It should not be a casual shower. You must use a washcloth, you must wash your head, and dry it. No one is allowed inside with wet hair. Disinfection baths are available to treat hands and feet. A disinfection barrier is used for vehicles. No one is allowed inside without proper treatment. Food products are completely prohibited there. Personal belongings are forbidden, too. The farm provides its workers with everything necessary, including personal hygiene products and any equipment. Mobile phones and other belongings should be left at the check entry post,” Olga Pekalina said. “Infectious diseases are our greatest fear. Disinfection is the number one thing to do.”
How are animals kept at pig farms
Ideal conditions are created for the animals at the pig farm. Employees control the speed of air movement so that the piglets do not catch cold. They regulate the intensity of light to prolong the estrus period in breeding sows. Vanilla flavoring is added to the fodder to make it more attractive to piglets. That is why the pig farm smells strongly of vanilla.
To prevent the piglets from hurting each other's ears during dispute behavior (it is fraught with infection of the wound), they are given balls and hang chains to release aggression. Ultrasounds are performed with a wireless sensor and a smartphone. These are just a few examples.
“Five days before farrowing, we move the sows to the farrowing section. When farrowing starts, we turn on the heating mats, set the temperature in the hall and wait. When a piglet is born, we wipe it with a hygienic dehumidifier and treat the umbilical cords with a five percent iodine solution. After that, all the animals are placed under the sow to receive their first portion of colostral milk,” the chief veterinarian remarked.
“Weaning takes place at 28 days. This is the physiological state of the sow. This is how long she is capable of nursing. With prolonged nursing, the sow loses her fatness. This is a so-called technological cycle,” leading breeder of the farm Yelena Gridyushko added.
Needle-free injector devices are used for piglet vaccinations at the farm. The vaccine is administered intradermally. The animal feels neither discomfort nor pain. There are no side effects.
The pig farm also features something unique: a “milk taxi”. This equipment helps tackle one of the most challenging stages: feeding piglets. It is especially useful when a sow has to feed a large number of piglets and cannot manage on her own. Initially designed for cattle farms, this device was experimentally adopted at the pig farm, and workers found it very convenient. These milk taxis are manufactured in Belarus.
For a long time, Bolshevik-Agro was among the worst pig farms in the country. The situation began to improve only when true professionals took over management. They put together a dedicated and passionate team. In 2024, pig production grew to 33,000 head, and pork sales went up too.
This led to an increase in employee salaries by several times. In particular, the average salary at this pig farm is currently about Br3,000-3,500. A pretty significant amount for a rural area, isn’t it? The farm also helps its workers with housing construction or car purchases and sells agricultural produce at discounted prices. As a result, applicants have to wait six months for a job interview with the farm. However, the requirements for employees here are rather tough. They are not allowed to keep pigs in their private households, interact with hunters, visit forests, travel to regions and countries affected by African swine fever so that they will not jeopardize the safety of the pig farm.
What happens to no longer operating pig farms in Belarus
Such pig farms are not demolished but are often repurposed for poultry or cattle farming. Why not? Local authorities and the agriculture ministry deal with each such facility individually and as if it were their own, as the president likes to say.
Ensuring food security remains a top priority for many countries today. Belarus can be proud of its high-quality products, but to stay competitive and on par with the best in the world, our country should take it up a notch.
“Everyone looks at us and admires us. So let’s support this reputation,” the president urged the agricultural workers. “I mean the demand for our products. Particularly products of agriculture. Even Russia admires our products although Russia itself has a well-developed agriculture. We should keep it up. It is our brand: cleanliness, order, and high-quality products. Guys, let’s keep it this way.”
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