From houses to the "Sand Factory." How the Rachkovichi State Enterprise motivates workers to stay in the village. 

Belarus's leadership in the global dairy market is ensured by farms focusing on milk production . This "elite club" includes the state-owned enterprise "Rachkovichi" of the Belarusian Railways in the Slutsk District of the Minsk Region. Its impressive milk yields and field yields are the result of a well-organized livestock industry, careful attention to soil fertility, the use of agricultural technologies, and, of course, a well-thought-out social policy.  Contribution

to the common good
– Please note that our development strategy and tactics are based on national interests. It's no coincidence that the word "state" is even included in the name of the enterprise, - points out Nikolai Krasutsky, director of the state enterprise "Sovkhoz "Rachkovichi" of the Belarusian Railway. 
Every day, the state farm "Rachkovichi" collects 55 tons of milk, which it supplies to the OJSC "Slutsk Cheese Factory". Moreover, more than 90% of the production is extra grade. On average, one cow produces 25 kg of milk per day, and per year this is already 9 thousand tons. But such success was not achieved immediately. Just 10 years ago, the milk yield per cow was 9 kg per day, and the dairy herd numbered only a thousand heads, today - 2,225!
It is known that milk is on the cow's tongue. We asked the director of the state farm "Rachkovichi": how did they cope with providing the herd of cattle with feed this year - how did the generous fields respond to the care of local crop growers?
- The harvest was good: only grain "19,050 tons, rapeseed – 3,119 tons!" Nikolai Krasutsky proudly notes, adding that the yield is 74 centners per hectare! 
We compared this figure with the average grain yield for the country (43 centners per hectare), the region (49.6 centners per hectare), and the district (61.1 centners per hectare). It turns out that the Rachkovichi State Farm of the Belarusian Railway has made a significant contribution to the overall Belarusian harvest! 
Incidentally, the farm's crop growers focus on winter crops – wheat and barley. While the barley is used entirely for livestock feed, the wheat is used partially. This year, the Rachkovichi State Farm supplied 6,000 tons of wheat to BNBC, a leading producer of compound feed and feed additives, under government contracts alone. A similar amount was also supplied on a commercial basis. What attracted this farm's grain to a company with advanced biotechnological methods for deep grain processing? 
"It's all about the quality of our wheat, which has a high and balanced gluten-to-vitreity ratio!" notes the director, adding that the company is strictly meeting its production targets. As of November 1, 2025, it stood at 103.5% of the same period last year. This means progress is continuing. And a substantial forage reserve has been accumulated: enough haylage and silage, for example, for a year and a half!This means there is plenty of green fodder not only until the next harvest, but may also remain for sale.

MTK – modern technologies
. Today, the farm's dairy herd is kept on four dairy farms, where modern technologies are at the forefront: automation and mechanization of milking and feeding, and health monitoring. 
– All four dairy farms operate loose-stall housing. Three dairy complexes have undergone reconstruction, and the Yulisino dairy complex, our fourth, was built in 2022, practically from scratch,” Olga Krasutskaya, Deputy Director of the State Enterprise “Rachkovichi State Farm,” explained the specifics of the development and technologies of local farms. “By the way, each dairy complex has its own development prospects. For example, at the Yulisino dairy complex, we are building another building for 320 head of dairy herd. This means that the enterprise continues to work on increasing the dairy herd, its genetics, and productivity. 
When we arrived at the Yulisino dairy complex, daytime milking was underway. Machine milking operators and livestock breeders were working strictly according to schedule. Freshly calved and particularly productive cows were “invited” to milking, while everyone else was invited to the evening and morning milking. The dairy complex pays special attention to feeding. The rations of all cattle groups require Strict consideration of the animals' physiological characteristics, their productivity, and the season is paramount. 
"The diet must be balanced: it must contain the optimal ratio of protein, carbohydrates, fats, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, ensuring a balance of energy and protein for growth, reproduction, and milk or meat production," says Olga Nikolaevna. 
Animal rations for all four MTKs and the cattle rearing complex are transmitted daily to the computers of each farm's feed dispensers. Automation ensures that the feed dispenser operator loads the precise amount of haylage, silage, and concentrates, mixes everything correctly, and feeds each group of animals at the appropriate time. Livestock specialists also closely monitor the incoming feed mixture. 

Some people need a house, others need a "Sand Factory
." The slogan is "Personnel is everything!" " remains relevant, especially in agriculture. The formula for success at the state-owned enterprise "Sovkhoz Rachkovichi" is built not only on technological adherence but also on sound social policy. When recruiting personnel, the management of the enterprise prioritizes ensuring that working people in the village live with dignity—no worse than in the city. For example, in the center of Lyadno, the state-owned enterprise "Sovkhoz Rachkovichi" opened a modern shopping center, which includes a cozy cafeteria, "Sesci Paesci," and a small store, "Khoroshy." The cafeteria's menu and quality of food are on par with those in Moscow's cafes. The store also impresses with a good selection and reasonable prices. For example, a kilogram of honey from the farm's apiary costs 7 rubles.at the capital's fairs it is an order of magnitude more expensive.
A waiting list for jobs at the farm began when it began providing workers with modern, city-like housing en masse. Previously, all amenities were located outside; today, the houses have running water and sewerage, as well as gas or electric heating. The Rachkovichi state farm has approximately 140 rental apartments. They're not only building new housing, but also modernizing existing ones. For example, in Lyadno, the renovation of another house is nearing completion – for a young veterinarian couple graduating from the Vitebsk Veterinary Academy next year. Another apartment building is planned for the near future. In other words, they're thoroughly preparing for staff growth. 
"We've set ambitious, yet realistic, goals for the team. And we don't intend to slow down. Our plans include increasing the herd size, production volumes, and field yields." "That is, we need new veterinarians, livestock breeders, machine operators, and other specialists," said the director of the Rachkovichi State Farm of the Belarusian Railway at the end of the meeting.

1. The Rachkovichi State Farm collects 55 tons of milk daily, which it supplies to the Slutsk Cheese Factory. More than 90% of the production is extra-grade. On average, one cow produces 25 kg of milk per day, which amounts to 9,000 tons per year. 2. During the Year of Improvement, the farm installed outdoor exercise equipment for adults and a unique sandbox for children, the "Sand Factory," in the agro-town of Lyadno. Next year, the construction of a sports ground for volleyball, basketball, and football will be completed.

Tamara MARKINA, photo by Sergey SHELEG
UNP 600043393