A love of the land, a competent approach, and a friendly team. Mogilev District farmers discuss the ingredients for success during the harvest.

Summer is a busy time for agricultural workers. The fields are ripening with harvests that must be harvested on time and without losses. Meanwhile, second-cut grass is being harvested, straw is being pressed, and in some places, the soil is being prepared for next year's harvest. Employees of the Vendorozh branch of the Mogilevenergo RUE understand perfectly well that there is not a minute to waste. After all, so much depends on their performance today: the well-being of their people and the farm, their contribution to the common good of the district, region, and country, and next year's harvest. Much remains to be done, and the team is in high spirits. A responsible and competent approach on the ground, the unity and coordination of the farm's employees—this is the secret to their successful work. A BELTA correspondent went to the fields to find out why people value their agricultural work so much and are not ready to leave.

The beauty of the Belarusian landscape lies in the endless fields, where golden ears of grain sway in the breeze. Farmers are currently fighting every minute against the weather. And the weather is unpredictable this year, so there's no time to waste.
According to Andrey Karpechenko, DIRECTOR of the Vendorozh branch of the Mogilevenergo state unitary enterprise, more than 35% of the farm's acreage has already been harvested. They've completed the winter barley and rapeseed harvest, and have begun the wheat harvest. "We need to harvest just over 4,000 hectares of grain and legume crops, excluding corn, millet, and buckwheat. Over 1,100 hectares have been harvested, with a harvest yield of over 5,300 tons, and an average yield of 29 centners per hectare. Regarding the grain mix, we need to harvest over 1,400 hectares of winter wheat, over 1,100 hectares of winter triticale, 457 hectares of winter barley, and 123 hectares of oats. We have 187 hectares of legumes, and 653 hectares of rapeseed, which has already been completely harvested," he noted. For machine operator Andrei Egorov, this is already the 15th harvest. "I've been working on the farm for over 20 years, and I love my job," the man shared. "This year, we can confidently say we'll definitely have a good harvest. Last year, there was a severe drought, but this year, everything turned out well. The weather, of course, keeps everyone on their toes, but we're no newbies in agriculture. The equipment doesn't sit idle, and we don't waste time."
A machine operator's workday begins at 7 a.m. "The most important thing is to prepare your equipment on time and maintain it during the season. Every morning begins with a check: is everything working properly, and if necessary, lubricate, adjust, or clean anything. Only then do we HEAD out into the field. And we're here until evening," said Andrey Egorov. "They bring us hot lunches and dinners. The food is very tasty and filling."
The machine operator doesn't work alone, but with his son, Egor. The young man, who was in his first year at the Military Academy, decided to earn some extra money during his vacation: to help his dad and earn a little money for himself. "Last year I wanted to work with my dad in the harvest, but I was 17. And now I'm an adult. I came on vacation ."I said I wanted to work part-time this summer. My father suggested I join him on the combine harvester," the young man says. " The work isn't easy, but it's not particularly difficult either. We can handle it together; my father trusts me with everything and teaches me. The military academy builds character and teaches discipline. All of that comes in handy during the harvest." It's great that the farm gives young people the opportunity to work." Vadim Cherkanov has been driving a combine harvester for two years now, and he's currently also busy harvesting wheat. He began his professional career in the agricultural sector five years ago. Originally from Klimovichi, he graduated from Klimovichi State Vocational School No. 14 before moving to Vendozh on the advice of a relative. Vadim has a large family—his wife and two children, a boy and a girl, ages 8 and 2. They all live in Mogilev—Mogilevenergo management helps workers with housing if needed.

"Before, we were harvesting rapeseed; we just finished a few days ago. Now we're harvesting wheat. We're seizing every minute of good weather. It's peak season, so everyone understands that our work is important," Vadim Cherkanov shared. "We will do everything to ensure the highest possible harvest."
Fourteen combine harvesters are working at Vendorozh. All are staffed by machine operators and in good working order. If additional personnel are needed during the peak season, Mogilevenergo RUE always lends a hand, sending its employees to the harvest.
In parallel with the wheat harvest, Vendorozh continues to harvest grass forage. This year's results are encouraging: the first cut alone yielded three times more than last year. "The harvesting of perennial grasses for the second cut is underway. More than 1,000 hectares have already been mown. 981 tons of hay have been harvested, and approximately 27,000 tons of silage, against a planned 19,000 tons. This amounts to 20.4 feed units per standard head of livestock. "We're up 8.2 feed units compared to last year," noted the director of the agricultural enterprise.
Mikhail Kozhemyako, a machine operator, is driving a forage harvester. He is currently busy harvesting the second cut of grass. "We'll definitely have enough forage. The first cut was good, and the second isn't disappointing, and in some places it's even better than the first," he shares. "The weather has helped us with this. We have enough sun and rain. That's why the forage is good. I don't work on the grain harvest, but the guys say there's a good harvest there too. That's why we'll have MILK, MEAT, and bread."
Mikhail Kozhemyako has been working on the farm for seven years. "I always come to work in a cheerful mood. I've loved agriculture since childhood.""The machinery that works here. My father worked the land, and I loved riding with him as a child. Now I've been a tractor driver for 21 years, and forage harvesting for 12 years," the man shared. "My mother also works on the farm as a farm manager, and my brother is a harvester. My son is interested in machinery. His name is Zhenya, he's 12 years old. He always runs to me with pleasure; if he needs help, he always helps. If he doesn't lose his enthusiasm, he'll become our replacement and continue the family dynasty."

Tractor driver Yuri Lysov works hauling silage. "There's always plenty to do on the farm; our weekdays are busy. In the spring, we sow and feed the crops, then we start feeding the forage, while harvesting and preparing the soil for the next sowing take place. In the winter, we fix the machinery. Now I'm hauling silage, and I see that we have good forage this year. All processes are streamlined, so we don't waste any time. If there's forage, people will have prosperity. Everything in agriculture is interconnected. All that's left is for the weather to be right," he says. "I've been in agriculture for 23 years. I've never thought about changing careers. I like the countryside, and I love the machinery. I know my job, I'm used to it, and so I don't find it difficult. You have to work on the land, too." Straw harvesting and baling continues in the Vendorozh fields.
Meanwhile, the farm has already begun preparing the soil for sowing the new crop. Machine operator Maksim Shchepanov is plowing.
"I'm plowing and disking the land. It's time to prepare for the new sowing," he says. "I've been on the farm for eight years now. Responsibility is required at every stage of farming, and right now our work is receiving the utmost attention." I spend my days in the fields; I can't say it's difficult; I'm already used to it. I live in Vendorozh; I never thought about moving anywhere else. And why go anywhere else? You can find good work here, too."

In addition to preparing the soil, Maksim Shchepanov also works on sowing rapeseed, cultivating and protecting plants, and harvesting herbaceous forage, so the young man is busy year-round.
"Our machine operators are set up so that work is done in stages—one after another. We start in April and finish in November," notes Andrey Karpechenko, director of the Vendorozh branch. "All the guys know their equipment very well, what goes where, what units to use. If Maksim goes to pre-sowing cultivation, a seeding unit complex is sent after him. And they adapt to each other, they know how to do it best. Of course, the agronomist adjusts the technology. But our guys themselves are experienced and responsible. The team is close-knit—there's no other way. In agriculture, one man is no match for another. Everyone must be on their side. After all, if there's work aheadIf the field is poorly carried out, like pre-sowing cultivation, the seeder will sow poorly and jump. And we don't need that. That's why the guys study the technology and follow it strictly. We don't have to run after them all the time, checking. We know their skills and trust them. In return, we get high-quality work in the fields and trust in us."

And in the neighboring field, Alexander Kupratsevich is working on a Kirovets - he is carrying out no-till tillage. About ten storks are watching his tractor, following behind. The man laughs that it's time to give the birds on the farm positions too, calling them the agronomist's deputies. Because they closely monitor all the processes.

"The work is going great, the tractor is good, it's cool inside - the air conditioner is working. Now I'm cultivating the soil. The field is large - 86 hectares. I've been working on it for three days now, I'll be finished soon. It's time not only to harvest the fields, but also to prepare for next year. "Everything needs to be done on time to ensure prosperity for the farm and the people next year," says Alexander Kupratsevich.
The field where the tractor driver is working will be used for rapeseed. "Our plans for next year include increasing the area sown to winter rapeseed. We had 900 hectares allocated for this year's harvest, and next year we plan to allocate 1,200 hectares to this crop. This is a promising prospect for us, given that we have our own feed mill and a functioning rapeseed processing line. "This means we need to ensure their work," emphasized Director Andrey Karpechenko. The farm closely monitors not only compliance with deadlines and technology, but also ensuring that workers have the most comfortable working conditions possible. This is also monitored by Anna Danilenko, Chair of the Trade Union Committee of the Vendorozh branch of RUE Mogilevenergo.
"At the beginning of the harvesting campaign, all workers were provided with first aid kits; I, public inspectors, and an occupational safety engineer oversaw this. Everyone was provided with special clothing and personal protective equipment. Before leaving the machine yard, all equipment is checked for fire extinguishers, and the Ministry of Emergency Situations is on duty in the fields ," she explains. "Two hot and varied meals are provided daily. Our collective agreement stipulates that workers are reimbursed only 50% of the cost, with the farm covering the rest. When the weather outside gets especially hot, we organize water delivery – at least two liters per day, but we bring more. Our top priority is creating all the necessary working conditions, especially during the heaviest harvest period. The quality of our work depends on this . If workers have any suggestions or requests, we are always open and ready to address any issue.
The farm continuously recruits young people. Various forms of support are available to young professionals to help them stay in the village: targeted students receive an additional stipend from the farm during their studies, while young people receive financial assistance in their first job and have the opportunity to obtain housing.

"We create favorable conditions for our employees. We begin this work while they're still in school: we encourage high school students to enroll in agricultural universities, sign contracts with them, and pay monthly stipends. We support them throughout their studies. And once they start working for us, they receive a starting allowance. After five years of work, they receive a second contract, which also includes a starting allowance. Every year, we build housing in our agro-town. This year, we'll build two semi-detached houses equipped with electric heating. Next year, we plan to build 12 semi-detached houses. We've already received the design and estimate documentation," said the director of the Vendorozh branch of the Mogilevenergo RUE.
The state pays close attention to the development of agriculture and small communities. "We all understand the need for this development. Therefore, the management of RUE Mogilevenergo has decided to create the most comfortable living and working conditions in the countryside so that young people who join us stay here, start their own families, and maintain traditions and continuity within the branch. The state has always provided support to our sector . Year after year, we receive support and development," noted Andrei Karpechenko. "Our President's policy that Belarus should remain an agricultural country is correct. We must feed ourselves and earn our own living. We cannot live without the village. And, naturally, the village must be developed and supported. To this end, we do everything we can to ensure the prosperity of agro-towns and agriculture. People care deeply about their villages. I am a rural resident myself; I have been involved in agriculture my entire life. Naturally, I love the villages. There are open spaces and fresh air here. Produce is supplied from here to stores and to the tables of our citizens. Villages feed the entire country."

Anastasia GUZOVSKAYA,
photo by the author,
BELTA.