Winner of the honorary title "Scientist of the Year NAS - 2023" Vladimir Azarenko

"What's the nuance?" Scientist Vladimir Azarenko about what is happening in Belarusian agroscience

it is not time to collect stones yet, says the famous scientist - the hero of the joint project BELTA and our magazine. Spring is a truly busy time for the famous scientist Vladimir Azarenka. This is a fertile time for starting scientific experiments and implementing new ideas, because agricultural science, as our hero aptly puts it, stands firmly on the earth and grows from it. The development of scientific thought depends not only on the talent of researchers, but also on natural conditions, those very earthly laws by which man has long lived and lived.
Vladimir Azarenko is not just a researcher, a well-known and authoritative DOCTOR of technical sciences, he is the holder of the honorary title “Scientist of the Year of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus - 2023” in the scientific community. As Academician-Secretary of the Department of Agricultural Sciences, he is responsible for a broad scientific area that works for the country’s agriculture .

The long conference table in Azarenka’s office is littered with folders, books, drawings, and piles of papers. It just takes a lot of time to read them. How about delving into it, comprehending it, and making the right decision? On another table, at which Vladimir Vitalievich works, he, as the responsible chairman of the district executive committee, has... a report on the progress of spring field work.

- Why are you surprised? - Azarenka answers the question with a question. - Our department has five subordinate agricultural organizations in the Vitebsk and MINSK regions. Every day I analyze how things are going there. I definitely compare it with indicators at the district and regional level.

- How do academic agricultural enterprises feel?

“They were not handed over to us in brilliant condition, but now they are better, of course,” Azarenka states diplomatically. By 2030, domestic varieties of agricultural crops will account for at least 80%

And he clarifies that not everything that agricultural organizations subordinate to the NAS do brings them economic dividends. In addition to the main production activities, these are some kind of experimental sites. Here, in the fields, farms and workshops, scientists are developing new advanced technologies, which are then implemented throughout the country. This often takes quite a long time, but there is no other way. According to Vladimir Vitalievich, it is now impossible for any single element to suddenly turn the world of technologies used in agriculture upside down. Or, let’s say, a variety instantly appeared that was superior to the others in all respects. That’s why the academic secretary doesn’t like those who promise mountains of gold tomorrow, because he knows very well the value of such promises. Argues that real scientists are people who doubt. Including yourself.

“Doubts can be dispelled by practical experience, especially in agricultural science, but this requires time and patience,” says Vladimir Vitalievich. - There is practice here every day. There is no other way: mistakes are very expensive.

But the truth in this case is that, perhaps, the penny lost by academic agricultural enterprises ultimately turns into a solid economic benefit for the country.
"Scientists are people who doubt, including themselves."
Obviously, agricultural science stands apart from others - about 90% of scientific developments are of an applied nature. Their introduction stimulates the country’s agriculture to move forward, increasing the volume and quality of products. Fundamental research takes up a seemingly insignificant 7%, but in essence is of fundamental importance, since it relates primarily to important and promising areas: breeding, genetics, biotechnology. Of course, the achievements of fundamental science are a tool for obtaining applied results.

Now the efforts of agricultural scientists are focused on fulfilling the instructions of the HEAD of state - to provide 80% of domestic varieties of all agricultural crops in the country's fields by 2030. That is, we are talking about import substitution in a broad and long-term sense, explains Vladimir Azarenko. Moreover, getting the right variety is only half or even a third of the job. Each of them will require seeds, its own technology for soil cultivation, care and protection, and growth stimulants. In short, scientists must present the farmers with a complete package. And this is right if we want to get the maximum return from the funds invested in agricultural science, Azarenko is sure.

“This does not mean that tomorrow we will replace everything and everyone,” says Vladimir Vitalievich. - This is impossible, and it is not necessary. But science must provide the main points that will allow our agriculture not to depend on political whims and short-sighted steps of foreign partners and unfair competition. Moreover, new domestic varieties of agricultural crops and breeds of animals must at least match foreign ones in productivity, and better yet, exceed them. 2019 At the International Scientific Conference "Youth in Science"

Apparently, a shadow of doubt flashed in my eyes, and this did not escape the attentive gaze of my interlocutor.

- What else is the nuance? - Vladimir Vitalievich took a pen and pulled a sheet of paper towards him, clearly intending to clearly and convincingly prove the advantages of the domestic scientific product. - The same varieties of agricultural crops are developed specifically for our soil and climatic conditions, and they are guaranteed, regardless of whether the year is dry or rainy, to produce a certain level of productivity.

- Are imported ones worse? - I ask.

“They can shoot once,” says Azarenka. - But if you analyze the dynamics over five years, then they are definitely losing to domestic varieties. Happens,They sown winter crops, but nothing remains of them until spring, they froze, and so on. There are practically no such surprises from our varieties; they are resistant to frost, to the so-called return frost. “It’s practice every day. There’s no other way: mistakes are very costly.” Meanwhile, to develop a new variety, you have to put in a lot of work. Just imagine: it is necessary to create many hundreds of varieties, of which the breeder, based on some characteristics known only to him, selects 200, from this number - 40, and only 4, the most promising, will remain. In the old days, a variety of any agricultural crop was born over the course of decades, and its creators could well “get a Hero.” Now they release 30 every year, and this does not surprise anyone. True, they are not so durable - on average, a normal modern variety lives for five years. Why relatively short? New strains of diseases appear, harmful ones adaptinsects , and the protective powers of the variety are slowly fading away. And the second important point. When breeding, scientists focus not so much on yield, but on the consumer properties of a particular agricultural crop, which increase its competitive capabilities in the domestic and foreign markets. And consumer demands, as we know, are dynamic and changeable.

- Does science dictate what agriculture should be like? - I'm interested. - Or, on the contrary, adapts to his needs? Who feeds whom?

“And so and so,” says Vladimir Azarenka. - If this is the practical part, then it is not so much science, but scientific experience that can provide the answer. Science is needed when a certain level, at least average, has been reached. To go further, something new is required. But in general, farms solve practical problems of today, and agricultural scientists work for the future - the short and medium term.

- It's about five years, right? Can agricultural science look further?

“Of course, she tries, she predicts,” says Vladimir Vitalievich. - Without seeing the long-term perspective, it is impossible to begin research. The same unmanned systems, ground and air, are an approaching reality that cannot be avoided. With academician, Doctor of Agricultural Sciences, Professor Ivan Sheiko

The number of workers in rural areas is decreasing. How to compensate for the labor shortage? Only automation: fewer people - more machines. But here the second problem arises - staff training.

- Just about... Is the village ready?

“If you don’t do this, then, of course, it won’t be ready,” says Academician-Secretary of the Department of Agrarian Sciences of the NAS. - And if you teach and gradually introduce innovations, then the process will go fine.

According to Azarenka, the human factor remains the most important in agriculture - an industry that is quite conservative both in technology and in people's consciousness. Change is happening slowly, but surely. The current state of affairs cannot be compared with what it was 10 years ago. Agriculture has become more intelligent and has begun to meet modern concepts and requirements for agricultural technologies. The culture of agriculture has noticeably grown - smooth and beautiful, well-groomed fields are pleasing to the eye. Powerful, energy-rich technology is no longer a novelty. Modern dairy complexes are amazing - the country, fully self-sufficient, exports about 60% of its MILK and high-quality dairy products .

“The next stage must follow - organizational and managerial activities, development of services for agriculture,” says Vladimir Azarenko. - Our two agricultural enterprises are studying the technology of caring for crops using drones, and we have experience using them in other agricultural enterprises. Organizations have appeared that serve the village, whose specialists remotely monitor the situation and, if necessary, can adjust the technological process.
h3, center alignment “This does not mean that tomorrow we will replace everything and everyone. This is impossible, and it is not necessary.”
The famous scientist is confident that artificial intelligence will pave the way to the agricultural sector and become an assistant or even replace a person where a creative approach to business is not required. And in those areas where it is implied by definition, this is unlikely to happen in the foreseeable future.

- The profession of a scientist will not disappear, do you think?

- Neither a journalist, nor a scientist, especially. Someone has to set a task for artificial intelligence,” laughs Vladimir Vitalievich. Agricultural topics at the exhibition "Intellectual Belarus"
Figures and facts
• The Department of Agricultural Sciences of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus was created in 2002 on the basis of the Academy of Agrarian Sciences.
• The department includes 5 scientific and practical centers, 24 research and 5 agricultural organizations, 2 industrial enterprises and 1 agricultural library.
• The intellectual potential is impressive: more than 2.5 thousand people are engaged in scientific development. Among them are 13 academicians, 14 corresponding members, 48 ​​doctors of science and 388 candidates of science.
• The system of machines developed by scientists for the agro-industrial complex includes more than 200 types of different equipment in each area.
• On Belarusian farms, planting potato varieties of domestic selection occupy about 55% of the area, APPLE and pear trees - about 80%, vegetables - on average 20%.

An earthly dream
Did Azarenka want to become a scientist? The question is, of course, interesting, as is the answer.

- Who, when entering a university, thinks about building a career as a scientist? No, of course,” Vladimir Vitalievich, with a barely noticeable smile, looks inquisitively at me, asking whether he has disappointed me with his directness. - I studied at the Belarusian Agricultural Academy with a degree in mechanization of irrigation and drainage works and never thought about anything like that.

Vladimir Azarenka, fascinated by technology since childhood, confidently connected his future with land reclamation. In his school and student years, literally from every iron came: land reclamation is a national cause, man is the master and transformer of nature. The young man found it interesting and fascinating.

“We then recklessly believed in the unlimited possibilities of science,” says Vladimir Azarenko. - It was very fashionable to talk about why we need cows if chemists will soon learn how to make milk. And artificialcaviar is wow, it can’t be compared to the real thing. 1990s. Near his brainchild - a soil-cultivating rotary machine.

In 1980, he graduated from the academy with a solid background: a diploma with honors, active participation in the Komsomol and sports life of the university, work in the student scientific society. No one was surprised when a guy originally from the Orsha region was sent to graduate school at the Central Research Institute of Mechanization and Electrification of Agriculture in the Non-Black Earth Zone of the USSR, now the Scientific and Production Center for Agricultural Mechanization of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus.

Science was in favor then, and no expense was spared for research. In a word, a promising time to scatter stones loomed ahead, but Vladimir Azarenka initially had to collect them - not in the philosophical, but in the most literal sense.

“There were a lot of large and medium-sized stones on the arable lands; the contamination with them reached up to 40% in some farms,” says Vladimir Vitalievich. - This is a very harmful element in the soil: the quality of agricultural work suffers and costs rise. For example, the consumption of ploughshares when plowing on Belarusian lands was four times higher than the all-Union one. Scientists were faced with the task of mechanizing the process of clearing farmland of stones.

They worked hard - and this is not a figure of speech: 180 (!) stones with a diameter of 0.3 to 0.6 meters and weighing from 30 to 500 kg were buried under the level, oriented along the axes in a certain way. Then they removed the stones and carried out the necessary measurements and calculations. The process is labor-intensive and lengthy: there was no trace of digital technologies that are widely used in modern scientific research.
“Unmanned systems, ground and air, are an approaching reality from which there is no escape.” With the participation of Azarenka, they created a unique car. She easily removed stones weighing up to half a ton from the arable layer - embedded in the ground, they create the biggest problems for farmers. The new mechanization product successfully passed state tests and was put into mass production. But then the 1990s struck. What happened next is not difficult to guess.

“I haven’t found any practical application,” Vladimir Vitalievich smiles. - But others appeared: pickers, rake...

He worked at the Scientific and Production Center for Agricultural Mechanization for 26 years, rising to the rank of First Deputy General DIRECTOR. Scientists have developed more than 200 types of various equipment for the agro-industrial complex, many of which were developed using his talent and scientific foresight. MIC-2.5 was developed in the late 1980s. The machine could remove stones weighing up to half a ton from the soil

On his way to big science, Azarenka, by his own admission, hit a lot of bumps, but he believes that this is better than everything going smoothly. We made instruments and equipment for research with our own hands - I learned a lot. This is difficult for today's young scientists to imagine. And most importantly, I was lucky to work together with authoritative agricultural scientists I. Nagorsky, M. Severnev, V. Katsygin, and learn from them.

- When did you become confident that you had succeeded as a scientist? - I ask.

“Such a feeling is hardly possible at all, because scientists are doubting people,” says Vladimir Vitalievich. - Including yourself. Truth cannot be achieved. We operate only with some estimates, probabilities, and we can make mistakes. There are two types of error: when you accept an incorrect hypothesis or statement or when you refute a correct one. And this happens all the time, all the time.

- Living in endless doubts, it is difficult to achieve big goals, isn’t it? - discussing with Vladimir Vitalievich is a pleasure.

“It’s rather philosophical,” Azarenka retorts. - The researcher always has doubts. It is impossible to predict, for example, how climate conditions will change. Maybe everything will continue at the same pace, or perhaps climate warming will stop. And a completely different concept of agricultural development is emerging. Being 100% sure is wrong. 2020 Harvesting potatoes in a subordinate organization - RUE "Tolochin Cannery"

Do scientists need to be born? As a prominent representative of the most earthly agricultural science, Azarenka doubts that this is definitely the case. He believes that, first of all, the character must be creative and purposeful.

- In science, nothing is repeated, every time there is something new, unknown. The task that needs to be solved is always with you, not on a schedule from 9:00 to 18:00. And then bam - the idea comes at the most unexpected moment, even in a dream. I don’t know where and how this happens,” says Vladimir Vitalievich. And, after being silent for a second or two, he adds: “Still, the ability to generate new ideas is innate.”

Nowadays many young people are coming to agricultural science. According to Azarenka, it takes 10 years to become a scientific specialist. This is the time it takes to prepare a professional pilot. Although there are talented young people who quickly achieve results and recognition.
“Young people need to stand stronger and more firmly on the ground, and then everything will be fine - both in science and in the country.” “Without an influx of young people there will be no prospects anywhere, especially in science,” says Vladimir Vitalievich. - In the early 1990s, we lost a lot: a whole generation of scientists disappeared, one might say. But the situation is recovering, and this is encouraging.

Vladimir Azarenko, a famous scientist, corresponding member of the National Academy of Sciences, Doctor of Technical Sciences, has many students. He honestly admits that the greatest joy for him is when there is a result and someone succeeds at something. Or, for example, a good harvest was harvested at a subordinate agricultural enterprise.

He himself loves to work on the land. There is so much to be found on his plot of land near Minsk! There is also a greenhouse with drip irrigation and a mini-garden of fruit trees. We grow 15-kilogram watermelons, grapes, blueberries... Vladimir Vitalievich modestly notes that “we grow everything,” and his wife Natalya, an accountant by profession, acts as an agronomist. He, they say, only deals with “technical support: digging with a shovel, transporting and delivering, building or breaking something.”

“Everything in life is important to me, there is nothing secondary,” our hero confesses. - It happens that some element suddenly fell out, and it turns out that it was the most important one, but I didn’t know about it. 2024 ​The well-deserved award is presented by the Chairman of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences, Vladimir Gusakov.

Maybe this is all because he is an optimist by nature. Appreciates wit and humor. One of my favorite phrases is that it doesn’t happen that way. He also believes that there are no irreplaceable people and positions are not for centuries.

“Fair, humane and very responsible,” says academician, Doctor of Agricultural Sciences, Professor Ivan Sheiko about Azarenka.

- Fair, humane... Is this fundamental in science?

- This is extremely important. So that there is no hack work. If someone starts making trouble, he is no longer a scientist. In science you have to think, emphasizes Ivan Pavlovich. And he adds that academic secretary is not as easy and rewarding a job as it might seem.

The son of Vladimir Vitalievich, who was named Vitaly in honor of his grandfather, graduated from BSUIR and, according to Azarenka Sr., “is involved in toys,” which his father does not really like.

“Young people are being discouraged from real life,” the scientist laments. - But it will pass. We, too, once walked around with blaring tape recorders in our hands, and adults looked disapprovingly, to put it mildly. Young people need to stand stronger and more firmly on the ground, and then everything will be fine - both in science and in the country. The project was created using targeted funds for the production of national content. | Igor GONCHARUK, magazine "Belarusian Thought". Photo by Tatyana MATUSEVICH, from the archives of the Belarusian Agricultural Library named after I.S. Lupinovich NAS of Belarus and open sources. Read also: