INTERVIEW: Exotic crops, union-scale projects, scientific breakthroughs. Summing up the agricultural year
Photo is illustrative in nature. From open sources.
Anatoly Linevich Minister of Agriculture and Food of the Republic of Belarus On the eve of the New Year holidays, it is customary to sum up what was done in the past year. Have all the plans been fulfilled? It is important to sum up because the results of the previous year logically lead to tasks for the future, which hundreds of thousands of Belarusians in various fields will work on: from industry, construction, trade and communications to medicine, education and science. Farmers also set priorities. A BELTA correspondent talked to Minister of Agriculture and Food Anatoly Linevich about new production of MEAT and cheese delicacies, breeding a Belarusian type of horse, high-tech staffing of dairy farms and much more.
One of the top tasks is to supply Belarusians with fresh vegetables
- Farmers completed the last technological work in the fields and summed up the results of the year. The granaries contain more than 10.3 million tonnes of grain, including corn and rapeseed, and about 5.2 million tonnes of SUGAR beet. The country is fully provided with the "borscht set": potatoes, beets, onions and carrots. Anatoly Konstantinovich, how would you rate the 2024 harvest season?
- I will answer this way: much of what was planned has been fulfilled and exceeded. I am often asked whether Belarusians will have enough food? And I always say this: the best answer to this question can be found on store shelves, where a variety of products are abundantly available. Rest assured, the provision of Belarusians with domestic fruit and vegetable products is under constant control.
In general, the volumes of potato, vegetable, fruit and berry production in Belarusian farms exceed the needs of domestic trade. The laying of stabilization funds has been completed. 121.8 thousand tons of fresh produce have been stored: potatoes - 46.9 thousand tons, cabbage - 20 thousand tons, carrots - 12.2 thousand tons, beets - 6.4 thousand tons, onions - 12.4 thousand tons, apples - 23.9 thousand tons. To preserve the harvest , agricultural organizations have equipped storage facilities with a total capacity of more than 1 million tons. There, conditions have been created for storing vegetables almost until the next harvest season.
We understand that not only the quality of the product, but also its packaging is of great importance in the market . Our marketers use beautiful wrapping to increase sales, inventing and competing in creative execution. Yes, this is not our strongest side yet, but nevertheless, we offer consumers various forms of packaging and sorting by weight.
Watermelon, melon, grapes, nuts and even peaches will be Belarusian
- Workers in the agro-industrial complex, in cooperation with scientists and breeders, are working to expand the range of cultivated crops, especially in the field of horticulture, but not only. It was announced that Belarus would begin to cultivate apricots and peaches, expand the area of cultivation of grapes, walnuts and hazelnuts, and engage in the cultivation of almonds. It was also reported about the intention to diversify the vegetable basket. What other crops unusual for Belarusians will be mastered in the country and where will they be grown?
- Global warming has made it possible in recent years to significantly expand the range of grown vegetables, fruits and berries. By the word "significantly" I mean over 40 names. In open ground conditions, it has become possible to cultivate such crops as onions, asparagus beans, sweet corn, grapes, nuts.
For example, industrial cultivation of onions began in the Gomel region. Then, farmers, with the help of specialists from the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, were able to implement this technology in all regions of the republic. Today, agricultural organizations and farmers in the country annually grow more than 30 thousand tons of onions.
Asparagus cultivation in Belarus also started in the Gomel region: the first to grow and process asparagus beans in the republic were at the KSUP "Brilevo" in the Gomel region. In 2024 , this farm received 410 tons of asparagus beans, and they were fully processed on the shock freezing line and will enter the domestic market.
As for the previously exotic watermelon for Belarusians, at the moment, almost all regions of the republic have experience in its cultivation. Watermelon culture is very profitable even with considerable costs, so the cultivation of melons is becoming popular among farmers. I assume that in the coming years, the volumes of cultivation of both watermelons and melons in the country will grow, and significantly.
We note that grape cultivation is becoming increasingly popular. About 76% of the area occupied by grapes is located in the Brest region. The State Register of Agricultural Plant Varieties currently includes 17 varieties of this berry: six technical, eight table and three universal. The Institute of Fruit Growing of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus has formed a unique collection of grape genotypes, including varieties of different ripening periods and purposes. Scientists are actively conducting research in the field of viticulture, studying varieties for frost resistance and winter hardiness, complex resistance to diseases and pests. All this is aimed, of course, at increasing the volume of grape cultivation in the republic.
Belarusian farmers are also mastering the cultivation of nuts, which has its own specifics. Mainly, workers of the agro-industrial complex of the Brest, Grodno and MINSK regions are engaged in nut crops. Hazelnut and walnut orchards have been planted. We are seriously determined to master the production of rare fruit and berry crops in the near future - I am talking about peaches and apricots.
What kind of potatoes do Belarusians like? Tasty
- About 80% of agricultural land in the country is sown with varieties of domestic selection. Wheat, rapeseed, corn, winter barley of Belarusian varieties demonstrate decent yields. Consumers also love potatoes of domestic selection, both the varieties already familiar on the market and new ones. What agricultural crops are breeders working on improving today?
- The question is quite broad, because Belarusian breeders and seed producers are working to improve the characteristics of all agricultural crops without exception, but since we are talking about potatoes, we can note some successes. Thus, 184 varieties of this root crop of domestic and foreign selection are included in the state register of varieties for industrial cultivation. In the structure of plantings, Belarusian potato varieties occupy about 65% of the area.
If we talk about the priorities of the Belarusian consumer, our people traditionally prefer tasty potatoes, and Belarusians know a lot about this root crop. As a rule, we call tasty varieties of domestic selection, which can be purchased in time for variety change and variety renewal. The greatest demand is for new products, but also for varieties that have already managed to win a place in the sun. These are the legendary "Skarb", "Zhuravinka", "Breeze", "Manifest", and new varieties are not far behind: "Pershatsvet", "Palats", "Mastak", "Yulia", "Desyatka" ...
A project of the Union scale
- A special role in domestic agriculture is given to forage production, inextricably linked with animal husbandry. In our country, the flagship in this area is the Belarusian National Biotechnology Corporation, which has amino acid and compound feed production facilities, produces premixes and ensures the operation of its own scientific and practical center. Certain prospects for improving feed production are seen within the framework of the Union State. How is this sub-sector of agriculture developing today from the standpoint of innovation, technology and industrial cooperation?
- Today we can definitely say that only a high-quality forage base allows the most complete use of the genetic potential of animals, increasing their productivity and providing the processing industry with dairy and meat raw materials in volumes sufficient to fully supply the domestic market and sell for EXPORT .
In our republic, all conditions for the production of balanced concentrated feed have been created. Our feed mills that produce complete feed, premixes, protein-vitamin-mineral supplements have a fairly high level of technology and manufacture products that meet the physical needs of animals.
Among the largest investment projects implemented in the country in the feed production industry, I cannot fail to mention the high-tech agro-industrial full-cycle production at the site of the Belarusian National Biotechnology Corporation. Thanks to the decisions of the President, an investment project was implemented and the production of deep grain processing using modern biotechnology methods was launched to obtain essential amino acids (lysine, threonine, tryptophan), which are used to produce highly productive balanced feed and premixes for farm animals, poultry and fish. They are sold both on the domestic market and for export.
In fact, the project is the largest and unique agro-industrial complex not only in Belarus, but also in the territory of the former USSR. As you have noticed, it is of great importance for the agro-industrial complex of our country and affects the strengthening of the agro-industrial complex of the Union State. In particular, today we supply amino acids and compound feed for valuable fish species to RUSSIA. BNBC sells about 72% of its products from the total volume of export deliveries to Russia.
We export almost five times more mushrooms than we import
- Over the past few years, mushroom growing has been actively promoted in Belarus. Belarusian-produced mushrooms have replaced foreign champignons, shiitake and oyster mushrooms. Most agricultural enterprises specializing in mushroom cultivation are registered in the Brest region, but the Grodno and Vitebsk regions have also actively joined this process. How does the Belarusian mushroom business
differ from foreign experience and what can be said about its prospects and export potential? - The export potential, as well as the prospects, are significant. The figures are the best evidence of this. According to the National Statistical Committee, more than 23.8 thousand tons of mushrooms were grown in the country in January-October, or 103% of the same period in 2023. The share of champignon production in the total volume of mushroom production is 99%. If we talk about key producers, they, as you correctly noted, are concentrated in the Brest and Grodno regions, respectively 86% and 12% of the total production.
It is interesting that both exports and imports are growingmushrooms. In January-October of this year, we exported 22.1 thousand tons of mushrooms, or 119% of the level of last year, while we imported 4.5 thousand tons (115%) into the republic. It would seem, why import if our own is more than enough? But we must understand that mutual trade is a two-way street. We must exchange similar goods, diversify our products, and study the taste of products from other countries.
Technology is our everything
- This year has become a landmark for Belarusian livestock farming in many ways. For the first time in the country, all categories of farms will produce about 8.8 million tons of MILK, about 450 thousand tons of pork and approximately 650 thousand tons of beef, which will allow us to fully provide the domestic market and export high-quality meat and dairy products. Anatoly Konstantinovich, what, in your opinion, made such a success of domestic livestock breeders possible? Will the bar be raised next year and what indicators will it affect?
- Livestock farming, like all agriculture in Belarus, has changed a lot over the past three decades. Belarus is the leader among the CIS countries in milk and meat production per capita. Livestock farming accounts for more than 52% of the agricultural production structure. The production of the main types of livestock products increases annually.
I think the key factor that allows us to work effectively in dairy farming is the introduction of modern energy-saving technologies by upgrading the production capacities of dairy farms. Today, there are about 3 thousand dairy farms in the republic, of which more than 1.6 thousand work using modern technologies. They contain 71% of the cows from the total livestock in the republic. Compared to 2012, the number of unprofitable dairy farms has decreased by about 1.5 thousand. It is important to note that the share of milk production at all modern complexes in the country is 76% of the total volume, and the productivity of the dairy herd for 9 months of this year was formed at the level of 5113 kg, which is 418 kg higher than the national average.
Updating the production capacities of dairy farms and improving technological discipline in production have made it possible to significantly improve the quality indicators of milk. Thus, the amount of extra grade milk for January-October 2024 amounted to 68.7% of the total sales volume.
You have probably heard about the 4K technological approach, which we are trying to implement at each dairy complex: cow-staff-feed-comfort. Previously, the balance of the first three components was taken into account, but subsequently, studying the experience of other countries, introducing our own, we noted that the same cowproduces different amounts of milk in different conditions. Careful treatment of our main wet nurses and their high-quality maintenance increase productivity several times. This should be taken into account by all workers in the industry.
As for pig and poultry farming, in previous years a course was taken to consolidate production based on cooperation and integration, build new modern pig farms and sites for fattening broiler chickens, and breed turkeys.
The HEAD of state says that the future belongs to modern technologies, and the course for new technologies and the most effective solutions is the main line of development of domestic animal husbandry. And I completely agree with this. This is the vector of development that the agro-industrial complex should follow.
Spanish delicacy and several varieties of Italian ham
- Previously, information was heard that by 2030, the entire dairy herd in the country would be transferred to new high-tech dairy complexes. Modern pig farms are being built in different regions of the republic. New types of livestock products are also being developed: a turkey farm
has been created, and an innovative quail farm has been launched. What technological successes of livestock breeders would you note? - I can assure you of one thing with absolute certainty: the production capacities of meat processing plants in Belarus allow for the complete and thorough processing of all meat raw materials in the republic. The level of self-sufficiency in meat and meat products today is 134.9%. For a number of goods, consumer demand is almost completely satisfied by the products of domestic producers: meat , sausages, canned meat, and semi-finished meat products. The quality, useful properties, and variety of our meat products are known all over the world. This is our special pride. Seeing the surprised and satisfied faces of people who try our products for the first time at international exhibitions is priceless.
Among the new products, I can note our import-substituting product, similar to jamon. It is manufactured using the technology of dry-cured products, which involves the selection of raw meat and natural maturation of meat, due to which the delicacy acquires a characteristic taste and aroma. The production of Italian meat pickles has also been launched: prosciutto and Parma ham. The production of some other original types of products has also been mastered, for example, meat chips or sausages from raw materials of different structures in natural and artificial casings.
Noble cheeses ,Sugar-free ice cream and innovative baby food
- The highest quality of domestic dairy products is known in many countries. The best proof of this is the figures. Belarus ranks third in world trade in the supply of butter and dry whey, fourth in cheese exports and fifth in sales of dry skim milk. At the same time, work to expand the range of manufactured goods does not stop. For example, the emergence of new production facilities for the production of noble cheeses was announced. What new dairy production facilities are planned to be launched in Belarus in the near future?
- There will be several. The production of cheeses with noble mold is planned to be launched by the end of 2024 at the Vileika production site of Minsk Dairy Plant No. 1. Buyers will be able to taste the new type of Belarusian cheese with white mold as early as early 2025. By the end of this year, it is also planned to increase the capacity for the production of blue cheese at the Naroch production site of Minsk Dairy Plant No. 1.
In addition, we plan to expand the range of lactose-free and low-lactose dairy products at a number of enterprises in Volkovysk, Slutsk, Minsk and Nesvizh. The plans also include the development of dairy production without added sugar. We are talking about glazed curds, creamy ice cream and yogurt. Among the innovative types of products, I can also mention the newbaby food , which we intend to produce in accordance with the requirements of the GMP standard in Volkovysk.
It is important to note that the organization of a new production of dry whey protein concentrate has been completed. Similar ones will appear in the future at the Lida Milk and Canning Plant, the Luninets Dairy Plant and the Slutsk CHEESE FACTORY.
Scientists are breeding a type of Belarusian sports horse - Work
has been underway in the country for many years to improve horse breeds. The breeds bred are quite diverse and can meet the needs of the domestic market. Tell us, will horse breeding receive an even greater impetus for development in Belarus? What is being done to preserve the population of the aboriginal breed - the Polesie horse?
- The breeding stock of horses is concentrated in 17 subjects of livestock breeding, which breed both gene pool breeds, such as the Belarusian harness, Polesie population of harness horses, Russian heavy draft, Russian trotter, and riding breeds - Trakehner, Hanoverian, Westphalian, Latvian. The efforts of Belarusian horse breeders are currently aimed at improving the exterior and productive qualities of young animals, and preserving the breeds being bred.
In particular, significant work has been done recently to preserve and restore the aboriginal breed, or Polesie population of horses. Two farms of the republic - OAO Polesie Niva in Stolin District and KSUP Gorodoksky in Luninets - contain 116 heads of the Polesie population of horses.
We also have a good breeding base for breeding our own riding horse breeds. Scientists from the National Academy of Sciences are already planning to create a specialized type of Belarusian sports horse, which will allow national teams and regional centers for Olympic training in equestrian sports to be equipped with worthy breeding young animals that will be able to compete in classical equestrian disciplines: dressage, show jumping and eventing.
The projected growth in exports of food and agricultural raw materials is 114%
- Can we say that in the Year of Quality, domestic farmers have done a quality job? What tasks does the Belarusian agro-industrial complex face in the next agricultural year?
- Of course, yes. We are ending the year with positive results. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the growth of gross output in farms of all categories will be more than 3%. In animal husbandry, there has been an increase in milk production, cattle and poultry farming, and egg production. The productivity of dairy herds is growing, and the weight gains during rearing and fattening are higher than last year's figures. Taking into account the production volumes obtained by the end of 2024, the growth of exports of food products and agricultural raw materials is expected to be about 114%. The achieved level of self-sufficiency in the republic for the main food groups exceeds 100%: dairy products, meat, eggs, vegetables, potatoes.
As for the tasks for next year, they have already been defined in the state program "Agricultural Business" for 2021-2025. Thus, in crop production in 2025 it is necessary to produce at least 10 million tons of grain, 1 million tons of rapeseed oilseeds, 5 million tons of sugar beet, 55 thousand tons of flax fiber, which will meet the needs of the domestic market and increase the export of high-added-value products based on these raw materials.
An important task for the next year is to form a high-quality and balanced feed base for livestock. In general, in livestock farming, in farms of all categories, it is necessary to reach milk production in the amount of 9.2 million tons, cattle and poultry breeding - 2 million tons. In my opinion, the main reserves for growth in livestock farming remain targeted work to realize the genetic potential of farm animals and poultry, further updating of the production base, construction, reconstruction and modernization of livestock facilities.
The success of the farm depends on the manager
- And in conclusion, a philosophical question. So who is he - a strong Belarusian farmer?
- A case from practice. I come to the most ordinary farm, of which we have many in the country. Its owner, a farmer , takes a shovel in his hands, goes to dig a garden bed himself, slowly earns money from this and slowly but surely grows in volume, scale, revenue. And where does he start? From scratch, in fact - rarely does anyone have start-up capital, not to mention experience in agriculture. I give this example, including to the heads of our agricultural enterprises: "Look. He had nothing, and you have 15 thousand hectares of land, 100 good tractors, 50 plows and people. He, having nothing, becomes successful, and you, having everything, often look for excuses."
What is the secret? Everything is very simple. The most important component of successful agricultural work is the desire of the manager to develop. People from the land feel very subtly and work without enthusiasm when they see that the manager does not strive to organize the work in such a way that the farm becomes economically efficient and socially prosperous.
And vice versa, when a manager does not take into account his personal time and interests, works for the final result, while caring for people, then in this farm a high result will develop naturally and satisfy all the needs of the workers. This is the simple formula with which our best and exemplary farms begin.
- Thank you, Anatoly Konstantinovich, for your informative and interesting answers. Good luck to the farmers in the new agricultural year.
Vera VASILEVSKAYA,
photo by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food and from the BELTA archive,
BELTA
One of the top tasks is to supply Belarusians with fresh vegetables
- Farmers completed the last technological work in the fields and summed up the results of the year. The granaries contain more than 10.3 million tonnes of grain, including corn and rapeseed, and about 5.2 million tonnes of SUGAR beet. The country is fully provided with the "borscht set": potatoes, beets, onions and carrots. Anatoly Konstantinovich, how would you rate the 2024 harvest season?
- I will answer this way: much of what was planned has been fulfilled and exceeded. I am often asked whether Belarusians will have enough food? And I always say this: the best answer to this question can be found on store shelves, where a variety of products are abundantly available. Rest assured, the provision of Belarusians with domestic fruit and vegetable products is under constant control.
In general, the volumes of potato, vegetable, fruit and berry production in Belarusian farms exceed the needs of domestic trade. The laying of stabilization funds has been completed. 121.8 thousand tons of fresh produce have been stored: potatoes - 46.9 thousand tons, cabbage - 20 thousand tons, carrots - 12.2 thousand tons, beets - 6.4 thousand tons, onions - 12.4 thousand tons, apples - 23.9 thousand tons. To preserve the harvest , agricultural organizations have equipped storage facilities with a total capacity of more than 1 million tons. There, conditions have been created for storing vegetables almost until the next harvest season.
We understand that not only the quality of the product, but also its packaging is of great importance in the market . Our marketers use beautiful wrapping to increase sales, inventing and competing in creative execution. Yes, this is not our strongest side yet, but nevertheless, we offer consumers various forms of packaging and sorting by weight.
Watermelon, melon, grapes, nuts and even peaches will be Belarusian
- Workers in the agro-industrial complex, in cooperation with scientists and breeders, are working to expand the range of cultivated crops, especially in the field of horticulture, but not only. It was announced that Belarus would begin to cultivate apricots and peaches, expand the area of cultivation of grapes, walnuts and hazelnuts, and engage in the cultivation of almonds. It was also reported about the intention to diversify the vegetable basket. What other crops unusual for Belarusians will be mastered in the country and where will they be grown?
- Global warming has made it possible in recent years to significantly expand the range of grown vegetables, fruits and berries. By the word "significantly" I mean over 40 names. In open ground conditions, it has become possible to cultivate such crops as onions, asparagus beans, sweet corn, grapes, nuts.
For example, industrial cultivation of onions began in the Gomel region. Then, farmers, with the help of specialists from the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, were able to implement this technology in all regions of the republic. Today, agricultural organizations and farmers in the country annually grow more than 30 thousand tons of onions.
Asparagus cultivation in Belarus also started in the Gomel region: the first to grow and process asparagus beans in the republic were at the KSUP "Brilevo" in the Gomel region. In 2024 , this farm received 410 tons of asparagus beans, and they were fully processed on the shock freezing line and will enter the domestic market.
As for the previously exotic watermelon for Belarusians, at the moment, almost all regions of the republic have experience in its cultivation. Watermelon culture is very profitable even with considerable costs, so the cultivation of melons is becoming popular among farmers. I assume that in the coming years, the volumes of cultivation of both watermelons and melons in the country will grow, and significantly.
We note that grape cultivation is becoming increasingly popular. About 76% of the area occupied by grapes is located in the Brest region. The State Register of Agricultural Plant Varieties currently includes 17 varieties of this berry: six technical, eight table and three universal. The Institute of Fruit Growing of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus has formed a unique collection of grape genotypes, including varieties of different ripening periods and purposes. Scientists are actively conducting research in the field of viticulture, studying varieties for frost resistance and winter hardiness, complex resistance to diseases and pests. All this is aimed, of course, at increasing the volume of grape cultivation in the republic.
Belarusian farmers are also mastering the cultivation of nuts, which has its own specifics. Mainly, workers of the agro-industrial complex of the Brest, Grodno and MINSK regions are engaged in nut crops. Hazelnut and walnut orchards have been planted. We are seriously determined to master the production of rare fruit and berry crops in the near future - I am talking about peaches and apricots.
What kind of potatoes do Belarusians like? Tasty
- About 80% of agricultural land in the country is sown with varieties of domestic selection. Wheat, rapeseed, corn, winter barley of Belarusian varieties demonstrate decent yields. Consumers also love potatoes of domestic selection, both the varieties already familiar on the market and new ones. What agricultural crops are breeders working on improving today?
- The question is quite broad, because Belarusian breeders and seed producers are working to improve the characteristics of all agricultural crops without exception, but since we are talking about potatoes, we can note some successes. Thus, 184 varieties of this root crop of domestic and foreign selection are included in the state register of varieties for industrial cultivation. In the structure of plantings, Belarusian potato varieties occupy about 65% of the area.
If we talk about the priorities of the Belarusian consumer, our people traditionally prefer tasty potatoes, and Belarusians know a lot about this root crop. As a rule, we call tasty varieties of domestic selection, which can be purchased in time for variety change and variety renewal. The greatest demand is for new products, but also for varieties that have already managed to win a place in the sun. These are the legendary "Skarb", "Zhuravinka", "Breeze", "Manifest", and new varieties are not far behind: "Pershatsvet", "Palats", "Mastak", "Yulia", "Desyatka" ...
A project of the Union scale
- A special role in domestic agriculture is given to forage production, inextricably linked with animal husbandry. In our country, the flagship in this area is the Belarusian National Biotechnology Corporation, which has amino acid and compound feed production facilities, produces premixes and ensures the operation of its own scientific and practical center. Certain prospects for improving feed production are seen within the framework of the Union State. How is this sub-sector of agriculture developing today from the standpoint of innovation, technology and industrial cooperation?
- Today we can definitely say that only a high-quality forage base allows the most complete use of the genetic potential of animals, increasing their productivity and providing the processing industry with dairy and meat raw materials in volumes sufficient to fully supply the domestic market and sell for EXPORT .
In our republic, all conditions for the production of balanced concentrated feed have been created. Our feed mills that produce complete feed, premixes, protein-vitamin-mineral supplements have a fairly high level of technology and manufacture products that meet the physical needs of animals.
Among the largest investment projects implemented in the country in the feed production industry, I cannot fail to mention the high-tech agro-industrial full-cycle production at the site of the Belarusian National Biotechnology Corporation. Thanks to the decisions of the President, an investment project was implemented and the production of deep grain processing using modern biotechnology methods was launched to obtain essential amino acids (lysine, threonine, tryptophan), which are used to produce highly productive balanced feed and premixes for farm animals, poultry and fish. They are sold both on the domestic market and for export.
In fact, the project is the largest and unique agro-industrial complex not only in Belarus, but also in the territory of the former USSR. As you have noticed, it is of great importance for the agro-industrial complex of our country and affects the strengthening of the agro-industrial complex of the Union State. In particular, today we supply amino acids and compound feed for valuable fish species to RUSSIA. BNBC sells about 72% of its products from the total volume of export deliveries to Russia.
We export almost five times more mushrooms than we import
- Over the past few years, mushroom growing has been actively promoted in Belarus. Belarusian-produced mushrooms have replaced foreign champignons, shiitake and oyster mushrooms. Most agricultural enterprises specializing in mushroom cultivation are registered in the Brest region, but the Grodno and Vitebsk regions have also actively joined this process. How does the Belarusian mushroom business
differ from foreign experience and what can be said about its prospects and export potential? - The export potential, as well as the prospects, are significant. The figures are the best evidence of this. According to the National Statistical Committee, more than 23.8 thousand tons of mushrooms were grown in the country in January-October, or 103% of the same period in 2023. The share of champignon production in the total volume of mushroom production is 99%. If we talk about key producers, they, as you correctly noted, are concentrated in the Brest and Grodno regions, respectively 86% and 12% of the total production.
It is interesting that both exports and imports are growingmushrooms. In January-October of this year, we exported 22.1 thousand tons of mushrooms, or 119% of the level of last year, while we imported 4.5 thousand tons (115%) into the republic. It would seem, why import if our own is more than enough? But we must understand that mutual trade is a two-way street. We must exchange similar goods, diversify our products, and study the taste of products from other countries.
Technology is our everything
- This year has become a landmark for Belarusian livestock farming in many ways. For the first time in the country, all categories of farms will produce about 8.8 million tons of MILK, about 450 thousand tons of pork and approximately 650 thousand tons of beef, which will allow us to fully provide the domestic market and export high-quality meat and dairy products. Anatoly Konstantinovich, what, in your opinion, made such a success of domestic livestock breeders possible? Will the bar be raised next year and what indicators will it affect?
- Livestock farming, like all agriculture in Belarus, has changed a lot over the past three decades. Belarus is the leader among the CIS countries in milk and meat production per capita. Livestock farming accounts for more than 52% of the agricultural production structure. The production of the main types of livestock products increases annually.
I think the key factor that allows us to work effectively in dairy farming is the introduction of modern energy-saving technologies by upgrading the production capacities of dairy farms. Today, there are about 3 thousand dairy farms in the republic, of which more than 1.6 thousand work using modern technologies. They contain 71% of the cows from the total livestock in the republic. Compared to 2012, the number of unprofitable dairy farms has decreased by about 1.5 thousand. It is important to note that the share of milk production at all modern complexes in the country is 76% of the total volume, and the productivity of the dairy herd for 9 months of this year was formed at the level of 5113 kg, which is 418 kg higher than the national average.
Updating the production capacities of dairy farms and improving technological discipline in production have made it possible to significantly improve the quality indicators of milk. Thus, the amount of extra grade milk for January-October 2024 amounted to 68.7% of the total sales volume.
You have probably heard about the 4K technological approach, which we are trying to implement at each dairy complex: cow-staff-feed-comfort. Previously, the balance of the first three components was taken into account, but subsequently, studying the experience of other countries, introducing our own, we noted that the same cowproduces different amounts of milk in different conditions. Careful treatment of our main wet nurses and their high-quality maintenance increase productivity several times. This should be taken into account by all workers in the industry.
As for pig and poultry farming, in previous years a course was taken to consolidate production based on cooperation and integration, build new modern pig farms and sites for fattening broiler chickens, and breed turkeys.
The HEAD of state says that the future belongs to modern technologies, and the course for new technologies and the most effective solutions is the main line of development of domestic animal husbandry. And I completely agree with this. This is the vector of development that the agro-industrial complex should follow.
Spanish delicacy and several varieties of Italian ham
- Previously, information was heard that by 2030, the entire dairy herd in the country would be transferred to new high-tech dairy complexes. Modern pig farms are being built in different regions of the republic. New types of livestock products are also being developed: a turkey farm
has been created, and an innovative quail farm has been launched. What technological successes of livestock breeders would you note? - I can assure you of one thing with absolute certainty: the production capacities of meat processing plants in Belarus allow for the complete and thorough processing of all meat raw materials in the republic. The level of self-sufficiency in meat and meat products today is 134.9%. For a number of goods, consumer demand is almost completely satisfied by the products of domestic producers: meat , sausages, canned meat, and semi-finished meat products. The quality, useful properties, and variety of our meat products are known all over the world. This is our special pride. Seeing the surprised and satisfied faces of people who try our products for the first time at international exhibitions is priceless.
Among the new products, I can note our import-substituting product, similar to jamon. It is manufactured using the technology of dry-cured products, which involves the selection of raw meat and natural maturation of meat, due to which the delicacy acquires a characteristic taste and aroma. The production of Italian meat pickles has also been launched: prosciutto and Parma ham. The production of some other original types of products has also been mastered, for example, meat chips or sausages from raw materials of different structures in natural and artificial casings.
Noble cheeses ,Sugar-free ice cream and innovative baby food
- The highest quality of domestic dairy products is known in many countries. The best proof of this is the figures. Belarus ranks third in world trade in the supply of butter and dry whey, fourth in cheese exports and fifth in sales of dry skim milk. At the same time, work to expand the range of manufactured goods does not stop. For example, the emergence of new production facilities for the production of noble cheeses was announced. What new dairy production facilities are planned to be launched in Belarus in the near future?
- There will be several. The production of cheeses with noble mold is planned to be launched by the end of 2024 at the Vileika production site of Minsk Dairy Plant No. 1. Buyers will be able to taste the new type of Belarusian cheese with white mold as early as early 2025. By the end of this year, it is also planned to increase the capacity for the production of blue cheese at the Naroch production site of Minsk Dairy Plant No. 1.
In addition, we plan to expand the range of lactose-free and low-lactose dairy products at a number of enterprises in Volkovysk, Slutsk, Minsk and Nesvizh. The plans also include the development of dairy production without added sugar. We are talking about glazed curds, creamy ice cream and yogurt. Among the innovative types of products, I can also mention the newbaby food , which we intend to produce in accordance with the requirements of the GMP standard in Volkovysk.
It is important to note that the organization of a new production of dry whey protein concentrate has been completed. Similar ones will appear in the future at the Lida Milk and Canning Plant, the Luninets Dairy Plant and the Slutsk CHEESE FACTORY.
Scientists are breeding a type of Belarusian sports horse - Work
has been underway in the country for many years to improve horse breeds. The breeds bred are quite diverse and can meet the needs of the domestic market. Tell us, will horse breeding receive an even greater impetus for development in Belarus? What is being done to preserve the population of the aboriginal breed - the Polesie horse?
- The breeding stock of horses is concentrated in 17 subjects of livestock breeding, which breed both gene pool breeds, such as the Belarusian harness, Polesie population of harness horses, Russian heavy draft, Russian trotter, and riding breeds - Trakehner, Hanoverian, Westphalian, Latvian. The efforts of Belarusian horse breeders are currently aimed at improving the exterior and productive qualities of young animals, and preserving the breeds being bred.
In particular, significant work has been done recently to preserve and restore the aboriginal breed, or Polesie population of horses. Two farms of the republic - OAO Polesie Niva in Stolin District and KSUP Gorodoksky in Luninets - contain 116 heads of the Polesie population of horses.
We also have a good breeding base for breeding our own riding horse breeds. Scientists from the National Academy of Sciences are already planning to create a specialized type of Belarusian sports horse, which will allow national teams and regional centers for Olympic training in equestrian sports to be equipped with worthy breeding young animals that will be able to compete in classical equestrian disciplines: dressage, show jumping and eventing.
The projected growth in exports of food and agricultural raw materials is 114%
- Can we say that in the Year of Quality, domestic farmers have done a quality job? What tasks does the Belarusian agro-industrial complex face in the next agricultural year?
- Of course, yes. We are ending the year with positive results. According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the growth of gross output in farms of all categories will be more than 3%. In animal husbandry, there has been an increase in milk production, cattle and poultry farming, and egg production. The productivity of dairy herds is growing, and the weight gains during rearing and fattening are higher than last year's figures. Taking into account the production volumes obtained by the end of 2024, the growth of exports of food products and agricultural raw materials is expected to be about 114%. The achieved level of self-sufficiency in the republic for the main food groups exceeds 100%: dairy products, meat, eggs, vegetables, potatoes.
As for the tasks for next year, they have already been defined in the state program "Agricultural Business" for 2021-2025. Thus, in crop production in 2025 it is necessary to produce at least 10 million tons of grain, 1 million tons of rapeseed oilseeds, 5 million tons of sugar beet, 55 thousand tons of flax fiber, which will meet the needs of the domestic market and increase the export of high-added-value products based on these raw materials.
An important task for the next year is to form a high-quality and balanced feed base for livestock. In general, in livestock farming, in farms of all categories, it is necessary to reach milk production in the amount of 9.2 million tons, cattle and poultry breeding - 2 million tons. In my opinion, the main reserves for growth in livestock farming remain targeted work to realize the genetic potential of farm animals and poultry, further updating of the production base, construction, reconstruction and modernization of livestock facilities.
The success of the farm depends on the manager
- And in conclusion, a philosophical question. So who is he - a strong Belarusian farmer?
- A case from practice. I come to the most ordinary farm, of which we have many in the country. Its owner, a farmer , takes a shovel in his hands, goes to dig a garden bed himself, slowly earns money from this and slowly but surely grows in volume, scale, revenue. And where does he start? From scratch, in fact - rarely does anyone have start-up capital, not to mention experience in agriculture. I give this example, including to the heads of our agricultural enterprises: "Look. He had nothing, and you have 15 thousand hectares of land, 100 good tractors, 50 plows and people. He, having nothing, becomes successful, and you, having everything, often look for excuses."
What is the secret? Everything is very simple. The most important component of successful agricultural work is the desire of the manager to develop. People from the land feel very subtly and work without enthusiasm when they see that the manager does not strive to organize the work in such a way that the farm becomes economically efficient and socially prosperous.
And vice versa, when a manager does not take into account his personal time and interests, works for the final result, while caring for people, then in this farm a high result will develop naturally and satisfy all the needs of the workers. This is the simple formula with which our best and exemplary farms begin.
- Thank you, Anatoly Konstantinovich, for your informative and interesting answers. Good luck to the farmers in the new agricultural year.
Vera VASILEVSKAYA,
photo by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food and from the BELTA archive,
BELTA