MINSK, 4 January (BelTA) –Vitebsk Oblast must gain momentum, although the situation in the region cannot be described as catastrophic, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he appointed Sergei Levkovich as the president’s aide, inspector for Vitebsk Oblast on 4 January, BelTA has learned.
"I am looking forward to the results from your work. I really am. You need to find your place and work in the interests of Vitebsk Oblast. Vitebsk Oblast must gain momentum. I won't say that the current situation is catastrophic one. But this region is not the best in the country. Meanwhile it has a lot of opportunities," the Belarusian leader stressed.
Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that Sergei Levkovich knows Vitebsk Oblast. "The region is not easy, to say the least. You are an agrarian by training. You know agriculture well. This is what Vitebsk oblast needs. Will you please analyze the path that we have outlined in terms of the development of agriculture? As you know, we have created so-called integration structures and companies there. I agreed to this option. It is basically a win-win, it does not spoil anything. If we fail to implement this project, the integration structures will disintegrate. They have nothing to lose. We need to try to see this project through. This is your most important task," the head of state said.
Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that all these tasks are implemented by people. Personnel policy is the responsibility of Sergei Levkovich. "Work together with the governor, but don't forget that you are not the governor's assistant. You are the ears and eyes of the president in this region. I expect an objective assessment from you," the Belarusian leader stressed.
He instructed that all decisions should come from life. For example, in animal husbandry, it is necessary to quickly make decisions on the transfer of livestock from the farms that are unable to feed animals to other farms. This will at least reduce the volume of livestock mortality. It is important to complete the work on creating the necessary fodder base.
As for the personnel situation in the agricultural industry, the head of state urged "not to shed tears over the lack of people in agriculture." "It's a bad situation when there are not enough jobs. I've been through it. Maybe you've come across it too. That's the troubling situation. It is good when there are jobs. You just have to work and earn money," Aleksandr Lukashenko said.
In the busiest periods for agriculture, he suggested attracting specialists, including those from cities who have experience and competencies to operate sophisticated equipment. "A farm needs 2 or 3 people, well, 5 in busiest periods. People with an experience of operating combine harvesters, high-power tractors. Network with them beforehand and work with them. That was what I did [during the years of work as the head of an agricultural enterprise]. I kept in touch with the people who left my farm to work somewhere else (some worked 5-7 kilometers away from the farm). These harvester operators were happy to come and work for my farm. I had enough people operating other types of equipment," the president shared his experience.
In this regard, he noted, every farm should have a strategy. This issue should be addressed, including at the level of district executive committees, which are not particularly overloaded with work.
