SMOLEVICHI DISTRICT, 8 August (BelTA) – Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko set a target for the country’s farmers to achieve an annual rapeseed harvest of around 1 million tonnes during his visit to Ozertitsky-Agro in Smolevichi District on 8 August, BelTA has learned.
The cultivation of winter rapeseed in Belarus has become an established and profitable agricultural practice. This crop yields highly valuable oil (with Belarus currently ranking 5th or 6th globally in production) and provides essential protein for livestock feed. Moreover, rapeseed cultivation significantly improves field conditions for subsequent grain crops, which is why it is called a “precursor crop.”
Currently, winter rapeseed occupies 370,000 hectares of farmland, with spring rapeseed covering an additional 48,000 hectares. Experts recognize it as a crop of both present and future significance for Belarus. While completely absent in the 1980s and later considered suitable for only limited soil types by international experts, winter rapeseed has dramatically expanded its cultivated area thanks to domestically developed growing technologies and strong governmental support, including personal attention from the president.
The current focus lies in refining cultivation techniques and seed varieties. During discussions, the president inquired about progress in developing domestic rapeseed hybrids. Yadviga Pilyuk, Head of the Oilseed Crops Department at the National Academy of Sciences' Agriculture Research Center, explained that Belarus maintains an 80/20 ratio between domestic and imported seeds. Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized the need to increase both the share and quality of locally produced seeds. Over the past decade, Belarus has developed 30 rapeseed varieties, achieving significant market success with 110 tons sold despite fierce competition from more than 20 global seed companies.
“We absolutely must reach one million tons of rapeseed oilseeds this year,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stated as the harvest target.
“We will achieve this volume in total harvest, with spring rapeseed contributing additionally,” Yadviga Pilyuk clarified. The expert noted that this year’s weather conditions have been particularly challenging for winter rapeseed. Nevertheless, projections indicate an overall rapeseed harvest of at least 1 million tonnes, though the oilseed yield will be slightly lower. Last year, oilseed production alone reached the 1-million-tonne mark.
“We need to at least maintain last year’s level,” the president said, pointing to last year's performance.
“We will achieve this volume in total harvest, with spring rapeseed contributing additionally,” Yadviga Pilyuk clarified. The expert noted that this year’s weather conditions have been particularly challenging for winter rapeseed. Nevertheless, projections indicate an overall rapeseed harvest of at least 1 million tonnes, though the oilseed yield will be slightly lower. Last year, oilseed production alone reached the 1-million-tonne mark.
“We need to at least maintain last year’s level,” the president said, pointing to last year's performance.
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