Krupko: 2021 is not bad for agriculture, profits and profitability have grown

November 23, MINSK. Although 2021 was a difficult year for agriculture due to weather conditions, it turned out well, and many financial and economic indicators grew. Minister of Agriculture and Food Ivan Krupko told journalists today, BelTA has learned.

According to him, the volume of production in crop and livestock production is comparable to the data for the last five years and provides 100% for the needs of the domestic market and the loading of processing enterprises.

EXPORT of agricultural products for 9 months of this year amounted to $4.7 billion, which is 12.6% higher than the same period last year. Revenue increased by 14%, reaching Br12.2 billion and ensuring the profitable operation of the agro-industrial complex at the level of 6.3% (last year it was 0.6% less).

The agricultural industry received a profit of Br778 million (plus 24% compared to the figures for 9 months of 2020).

Due to difficult weather conditions, the grain harvest this year is indeed smaller than last year, the HEAD of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food noted. But he clarified that 2020 was very successful in terms of grain harvest, and each subsequent year should not be compared with those high rates. But, if you look at the grain harvest in the context of a five-year period, 2021 looks worthy. “If we take the volume of grain (ears and corn) in the barn on average for a five-year period, this is 7.3 million tons, and for the last year - 7.5 million tons. This gives full provision of the state order for grain and provision of public animal husbandry at the level of 86% ", - said Ivan Krupko.

Farmers have already begun preparing for the next season in order to increase the yield of a number of crops in 2022. For example, winter barley was sown twice as much - on an area of ​​almost 62,000 hectares, and the area sown with wheat was increased by 57,000 hectares. "The structure of the areas has been formed, the period for the repair of equipment has been determined, which we have already begun, in order to carry out spring work within the technological time frame and ensure the harvest of 2022," the minister said.

According to him, next year the task is to reach a grain harvest of 8 million tons in barn weight (or 9.5 million tons in bunker weight), to ensure an increase in MILK and MEAT production at the level of 104%, saturating not only the domestic market, but and increasing export potential.

In addition, about 100 agro-industrial complex facilities are being built or undergoing reconstruction this year, which will allow in the future to "concentrate on new technologies and get the maximum yield, especially in milk production," Ivan Krupko emphasized.

Journalists asked the minister whether the integration structures created in the agro-industrial complex of the Vitebsk region are working effectively. The head of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food explained that after merging into these structures, the enterprises received a deferment from paying debts. "They got the opportunity to increase the volume of production in both crop production and animal husbandry by the time the time comes for repayment of debts. If this is achieved by joint efforts, enterprises will reach a new level, will be able to work calmly and calmly pay off deferred debts," he said. .