KOSTYUKOVICHI DISTRICT, 30 April (BelTA) – We need to finish spring field work by 9 May, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he inspected the progress in spring field work in Kostyukovichi District on 30 April, BelTA has learned.
The Agriculture and Food Ministry, together with regional executive committees, has determined the structure of areas under crops for 2024. In accordance with it, farmers will need to plant or re-plant 2.4 million hectares, including 336,200 hectares in Mogilev Oblast. Farm machines are ready and maintained at the level of 95%. Work is underway to prepare forage harvesters for harvesting grass fodder."
“I don't know what you were proceeding from when deciding on increasing or decreasing the areas under crops. I also want to warn you against over-enthusiasm with corn... Scientists suggest that we plant legumes. Planting corn which makes sour silage for cattle is not a good thing. We need more hay. We need to plan everything very carefully for the next year so that we do not return to crop rotations, i.e. we need to pay serious attention to forage. Responsibility for this will be tough," Aleksandr Lukashenko warned.
As Agriculture and Food Minister Sergei Bartosh reported, planting of spring agricultural crops continues in Belarus. More than 1 million hectares have already been sown, or 45% of the plan and 105% of last year's level (43% of the target in Mogilev Oblast and 116% of last year's level). But in terms of some crops the field work is falling behind schedule.
“Precipitation is not a problem. Two or three days and the fields are dry, especially now. We need to sow crops promptly and efficiently. We need to work day and night. It is the right time to put the grain into the soil. The weather will be warm, moisture is leaving, that is why we need to sow crops in time,” the head of state demanded to increase the pace of fieldwork. “Harvester operators should be involved in the work to the full. Everything, including maize, should be planted before 9 May. That is why we need to work day and night.”
“I would only like to warn you to approach all the work wisely. Rapeseed and winter barley should be treated with care. These crops are very delicate and require certain weather conditions,” the president said.
The president also instructed to pay special attention to flax cultivation to provide the country’s processing plants with quality raw materials. “We need sufficient flax crops to secure ample supplies for our linen mills. We will gather in Orsha in autumn to review the work done,” the Belarusian leader said.
Aleksandr Lukashenko also got familiar with the samples of new and restored domestic farming machinery displayed in the field.
“I would only like to warn you to approach all the work wisely. Rapeseed and winter barley should be treated with care. These crops are very delicate and require certain weather conditions,” the president said.
The president also instructed to pay special attention to flax cultivation to provide the country’s processing plants with quality raw materials. “We need sufficient flax crops to secure ample supplies for our linen mills. We will gather in Orsha in autumn to review the work done,” the Belarusian leader said.
Aleksandr Lukashenko also got familiar with the samples of new and restored domestic farming machinery displayed in the field.
