MINSK DISTRICT, 17 June (BelTA) – Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko and the participants of the off-site seminar-meeting on agriculture were told about advanced practices of the Dzerzhinsky agricultural complex, BelTA has learned.
The Dzerzhinsky agricultural complex is a vertically integrated enterprise engaged in the production and processing of agricultural products. It runs several divisions responsible for various types of operations, such as crop production, livestock farming, processing, commercial operations and management. The branches of the agricultural complex are located in several districts of Minsk Oblast. The company owns and controls all the stages of its supply chain - from sourcing raw materials to processing and sales, including through more than a hundred company stores.
“In terms of the land area, this is more than a district. In terms of land under grain crops, these are like three Sovetsky Districts,” noted Aleksandr Lukashenko.
The president asked the director general of the agricultural complex, Vladimir Lukyanov, whether he thinks the government pricing policy is fair.
“It is,” the head of the enterprise replied.
In this regard, Aleksandr Lukashenko told officials responsible for pricing that the practices of the Dzerzhinsky agricultural complex should be studied and scaled nationally. “Apply it: production, processing, trade. If possible, other companies throughout the country should adopt these practices, at least when it comes to production. And people will stop having hard feelings. Here it is - the chain.”
Dzerzhinsky is going to branch out into beef fattening and make high-quality beef that could sell well abroad. This project is to be launched in Slutsk District. This will give additional workload to Slutsk Meat Processing Plant that is becoming part of the Dzerzhinsky agricultural company.
“We are planning to focus on beef fattening there, rather than dairy production, because Slutsk Meat Processing Plant is located nearby. The company depends on raw materials. We want to conduct an experiment, which is to fatten 8,000-9,000 head per year. We will test practices and techniques, develop cattle rations together with scientists, come up with technologies and guidelines for cattle growing, keeping and feeding and for building this complex. We want this project to be a workable model for everyone to emulate. We have already chosen a site, we have developed the technology. I think that by the new year we will have a design and get this process started,” said the director general. “Thus, 50-60% of raw materials used by our meat processing plant and slaughterhouse will be provided by us. This will be a separate business, which will allow us to calculate costs, profitability and assess financial performance.”
The preliminary cost of the project is estimated at Br40-45 million. In the future this operating model, if it is recognized as successful, will be used by other businesses of the company.
“You need to build it fast. Do everything simultaneously,” the head of state said urging the company to do things within the shortest possible time.
The incorporation of other enterprises and farms helped the agricultural complex to double its gross production within five years. There are seven investment projects in progress; they are financed partly by the company’s own funds and partly by loans from the Development Bank. In particular, the enterprise is involved in the implementation of the One District - One Project program.
“It is good that it [the bank] helps those who will give a return tomorrow. But this does not mean that we should put this enterprise on a pedestal no matter how good it is. We should promote other enterprises, too,” the head of state noted.
In this regard, Aleksandr Lukashenko urged to train managers who would be able to take over the Dzerzhinsky agricultural complex or create other similar enterprises in the regions of the country. “If you are gone tomorrow, who will replace you?” the head of state asked Vladimir Lukyanov.
“There are a couple of people,” he answered.
“Well, at least a couple. This is an important matter. This is a good enterprise. Therefore, we need to identify people who will launch a similar enterprise tomorrow. If we create something like this, we will not have problems with food and other issues,” the head of state said.
The Dzerzhinsky agricultural complex is a vertically integrated enterprise engaged in the production and processing of agricultural products. It runs several divisions responsible for various types of operations, such as crop production, livestock farming, processing, commercial operations and management. The branches of the agricultural complex are located in several districts of Minsk Oblast. The company owns and controls all the stages of its supply chain - from sourcing raw materials to processing and sales, including through more than a hundred company stores.
“In terms of the land area, this is more than a district. In terms of land under grain crops, these are like three Sovetsky Districts,” noted Aleksandr Lukashenko.
The president asked the director general of the agricultural complex, Vladimir Lukyanov, whether he thinks the government pricing policy is fair.
“It is,” the head of the enterprise replied.
In this regard, Aleksandr Lukashenko told officials responsible for pricing that the practices of the Dzerzhinsky agricultural complex should be studied and scaled nationally. “Apply it: production, processing, trade. If possible, other companies throughout the country should adopt these practices, at least when it comes to production. And people will stop having hard feelings. Here it is - the chain.”
Dzerzhinsky is going to branch out into beef fattening and make high-quality beef that could sell well abroad. This project is to be launched in Slutsk District. This will give additional workload to Slutsk Meat Processing Plant that is becoming part of the Dzerzhinsky agricultural company.
“We are planning to focus on beef fattening there, rather than dairy production, because Slutsk Meat Processing Plant is located nearby. The company depends on raw materials. We want to conduct an experiment, which is to fatten 8,000-9,000 head per year. We will test practices and techniques, develop cattle rations together with scientists, come up with technologies and guidelines for cattle growing, keeping and feeding and for building this complex. We want this project to be a workable model for everyone to emulate. We have already chosen a site, we have developed the technology. I think that by the new year we will have a design and get this process started,” said the director general. “Thus, 50-60% of raw materials used by our meat processing plant and slaughterhouse will be provided by us. This will be a separate business, which will allow us to calculate costs, profitability and assess financial performance.”
The preliminary cost of the project is estimated at Br40-45 million. In the future this operating model, if it is recognized as successful, will be used by other businesses of the company.
“You need to build it fast. Do everything simultaneously,” the head of state said urging the company to do things within the shortest possible time.
The incorporation of other enterprises and farms helped the agricultural complex to double its gross production within five years. There are seven investment projects in progress; they are financed partly by the company’s own funds and partly by loans from the Development Bank. In particular, the enterprise is involved in the implementation of the One District - One Project program.
“It is good that it [the bank] helps those who will give a return tomorrow. But this does not mean that we should put this enterprise on a pedestal no matter how good it is. We should promote other enterprises, too,” the head of state noted.
In this regard, Aleksandr Lukashenko urged to train managers who would be able to take over the Dzerzhinsky agricultural complex or create other similar enterprises in the regions of the country. “If you are gone tomorrow, who will replace you?” the head of state asked Vladimir Lukyanov.
“There are a couple of people,” he answered.
“Well, at least a couple. This is an important matter. This is a good enterprise. Therefore, we need to identify people who will launch a similar enterprise tomorrow. If we create something like this, we will not have problems with food and other issues,” the head of state said.
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