Three enterprises from Grodno immediately became contenders for the Grand Prix of the “Leader of the Year – 2023” award

The nomination of nominees for the international business award “Leader of the Year 2023” continues in Belarus. This time the expert council visited Grodno, where several enterprises became the object of attention. Read our report about who is vying for the Grand Prix from Grodno.

MILK , cottage cheese, sour cream, classic and aged cheeses , and much more are produced at Molochny Mir OJSC. Today it is not just a dairy plant, but a real production cluster of tasty and healthy dairy products. Today OJSC "Molochny Mir" is a recognized enterprise in Belarus and abroad.

– Over the past 10 years, we have significantly increased the number of products produced. Constantly growing demand allows us to think about expanding capacity, which we are successfully doing. Our company is a six-time winner of the Government Quality Award. This serious recognition at the republican level speaks for itself. Most importantly, our products are loved by Belarusians and residents of countries far beyond the borders of their native Sineokaya. This is another confirmation of the high qualifications of our employees and an incentive for further fruitful work. High competition in the global and domestic dairy markets dictates the need for constant movement forward, said Marina Anikeeva, General DIRECTOR of Molochny Mir OJSC.

The company annually processes hundreds of thousands of tons of milk, producing high-quality and tasty products.

– Our enterprise is one of the leaders in Belarus in the production of dairy products. Every year, the plant processes over half a million tons of milk and produces more than 500 types of products. Among them are classic milk , cottage cheese, sour cream, as well as aged and curd cheeses, popular among the Belarusian consumer,ice cream and much more,” said Olga Mikhnovets, First Deputy General Director of Molochny Mir OJSC.

The main strong point of the Dairy World is consistent quality. Its control is ensured at every stage of production, from the farm to the store shelves.

– Incoming raw materials and final product are strictly tested in the laboratory. Milk is also controlled at enterprises that supply us with raw materials. We monitor this aspect especially carefully,” added Olga Mikhnovets.

The EXPORT component plays a major role in the enterprise's economy. Today, Molochny Mir sends its products to many countries around the world. The company has a Halal certificate. The products also meet the strict requirements of the European Union market. The very admission there speaks eloquently about the quality of the products.

– Of course, this became possible thanks to modernization. A lot of money has been invested in recent years. Some workshops were built from scratch. For example, production for making cheese. Today this is one of the priority areas for us,” noted Olga Mikhnovets.

Cheese production is a labor-intensive process. The equipment installed at the enterprise allows the production of almost any grade. Next comes the process of salting, packaging and finally ripening. The minimum period for classic cheese is about two weeks. Cheeses like Parmesan ripen for a whole year!

Another trend in recent years has been healthy products that are produced without added SUGAR. The hit of the new season is sugar-free ice cream.

– The product has a reduced calorie content, which attracts a considerable number of buyers who try to exclude sugar and sugar-containing products from their daily diet. In addition, this is a great option for those who suffer from diabetes. At the same time, the taste of the ice cream remained absolutely the same rich and familiar,” noted the First Deputy General Director.

The Grodno wizards of the “Milk World” are not going to stop there. The company plans to further develop and develop new product samples.

– We strive to improve every day and provide consumers with an even better quality and tasty product. We have many ideas that we will definitely bring to life. We have something to surprise buyers not only in Belarus, but also far beyond its borders,” said Olga Mikhnovets.

All the successes of the enterprise became possible only thanks to the well-coordinated work of the team. Today, in total, including branches, about two thousand people work here.

– We have a clear understanding that an enterprise is, first of all, people. Of course, modernization and other processes are very important. However, they are impossible without qualified personnel,” concluded the First Deputy General Director.

Perhaps, a stereotype has taken root in the minds of many that the education of an agricultural profile is something from the category of archaisms. Grodno State Agrarian University destroys stereotypes. Today it is one of the strongest agricultural universities, which has an excellent material and technical base (and even a small veterinary clinic).

Today, more than 35 thousand specialists bear the proud title of graduate of the Grodno State Agrarian University, more than 75 thousand managers and specialists of the republic’s agro-industrial complex have undergone retraining and improved their qualifications in departments and laboratories of the university.

– Grodno State Agrarian University is a dynamically developing educational, scientific and cultural center of the western region of Belarus, which maintains and enhances glorious traditions. Our university is represented by 28 departments, employing more than 340 teachers,” said Vladimir Gorchakov, vice-rector for scientific work of the Grodno Agrarian University. – We train specialists for various professions in the agricultural industry at six faculties in ten specialties. These are agricultural specialties (production of plant products, plant protection and quarantine , production of animal products, veterinary medicine), engineering and technological specializations (production of food products from plant raw materials, production of food products from animal raw materials). In addition, training is provided in the economic field (agribusiness, accounting, analysis and audit, management, finance and credit ). Postgraduate students are trained in eight specialties, and doctoral students in two. Over the years of its existence, the university has had a huge impact on the development of education, science and culture not only in our region, but also in the country as a whole.

The agricultural university successfully operates 30 departments, 10 departments, an industrial research laboratory of DNA technologies, an industrial biotechnological laboratory for the reproduction of farm animals, and an industrial research laboratory "AgroVet".

University graduates from different years today occupy leading positions in agricultural enterprises throughout the country.

The industrial research laboratory of DNA technologies plays a special role in the structure of the university. It was created with the support of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, the State Committee on Science and Technology in order to introduce modern achievements of molecular biotechnology in agriculture , veterinary medicine, food safety and medicine.

– There is equipment installed here that has no analogues in our country. The areas of research are quite broad. In particular, identification of genes responsible for hereditary diseases of farm and domestic animals, identification of viral and bacterial infections in them. In addition, we carry out screening and identification of GMOs in food products, raw materials, and feed. Specialists can conduct genomic assessments and much more,” the vice-rector noted.

The laboratory also conducts DNA paternity tests. And at the height of the CORONAVIRUS pandemic, local specialists processed test samples for this disease.

“Our laboratory has many certificates, including international ones, which confirms its high competence,” added Vladimir Gorchakov.

Another highlight of the educational institution is its own multifunctional veterinary clinic "UniVetExpert", equipped with the latest equipment, on which specialists can quickly and efficiently conduct diagnostic studies of various profiles.

– The UniVetExpert veterinary clinic is equipped with a hospital for individual care of animals during treatment and diagnostic procedures. The hospital department has individual heated, ventilated boxes, oxygen boxes, as well as temporary isolation spaces.

In addition, the veterinary clinic has its own X-ray machine and other equipment that allows for endoscopic and ultrasound examinations of pets. By the way, they are ready to accept absolutely any pet. In the practice of local doctors, there is a case when help was provided even to a snake.

Since 2019, the university has been operating an industrial biotechnological laboratory for the reproduction of farm animals - the only one of its kind in Belarus. It is equipped with the most modern equipment that allows you to obtain embryos in vitro. Laboratory staff conduct theoretical and experimental research in the field of biotechnology of reproduction of farm animals, including the production, storage and transplantation of embryos of farm animals, development, study and implementation of methods for increasing the reproductive function of animals.

– The main areas of activity are obtaining early cattle embryos , consultations on breeding work and much more. This is a unique complex, thanks to which our university is developing and has great prospects,” concluded Vladimir Gorchakov.

The university has more than 3,600 students. A considerable part of them are foreign students from 31 countries in Africa, Asia and Europe. Retraining of managers and specialists is carried out on the basis of higher education. 40 branches of departments located in the best farms of the Grodno district and region help maintain a high level of training for specialists in mastering practical skills.

Expanding partnerships with universities and scientific organizations from near and far abroad is one of the goals of the international activities of the Grodno university. The university cooperates within the framework of 84 existing agreements with institutions of higher education and scientific organizations in more than a dozen countries.

Grodno Agrarian University is proud of its rich history, glorious traditions and looks confidently into the future. Having a modern information, educational and research base, and most importantly, a close-knit team of professionals and like-minded people, the university will be able to continue to successfully fulfill its noble mission of training highly qualified specialists, patriots of their Fatherland, capable of ensuring the further development of the agro-industrial complex of the Republic of Belarus .

Perhaps every Belarusian has heard about the Grodno MEAT processing plant. Loud new products from local artists not only disrupt the media space, but also become a decoration on the tables of hundreds of thousands of our compatriots. This is one of the largest producers of meat products in the country.

“Today we are a successful and dynamically developing enterprise with a long history and well-established traditions,” says Oleg Ivanov, General Director of OJSC Grodno Meat Processing Plant. “We have modern equipment, a well-coordinated team and an excellent raw material area at our disposal. Thanks to the latter, we have a stable supply of high-quality raw materials, growing from year to year. All this together gives an impressive result, which we strive to only improve.

The fundamental advantage of Grodnomeat processing plant is that in the product line you can find products for every taste and budget. And it’s true: the buyer has access to both traditional Belarusian sausages and series with Italian and Spanish flavors.

– We have successfully interpreted the legendary recipes of world-famous meat products. In particular, Parma ham, prosciutto, Palermo, pepperoni and even our Belarusian jamon. Looking at the popularity of these positions, we can make an unambiguous conclusion: these products are to the taste of the Belarusian, and not only, consumers.

The main hit of 2023 was “sausage soup” - a semi-finished product of ordinary soup. It's ready in just a few minutes. It is enough to put the “sausage soup” in a certain amount of water and bring it to a boil. There is no need to add any ingredients - everything has been carefully put together for you by the meat processing plant employees.

– Indeed, this product made a lot of noise in the media environment. However, we did not just stir up the information space. Our “sausage soup,” as it was popularly called, has gained great popularity due to its quality and convenience. And most importantly - the taste, which is practically no different from homemade, - emphasized Oleg Ivanov.

Last year, 2022, significantly affected the country's economy. Including due to the restrictions introduced. As for sanctions pressure, this factor did not fundamentally affect the activities of the enterprise. Moreover, the meat processing plant is actively working to expand its sales markets. Traditionally, the main export destination is the Russian Federation. More than once the company has received a high award as “Best Exporter of the Year” on the Belarusian market.

– Indeed, our eastern neighbors take up the lion’s share of the enterprise’s export supplies. However, we do not have any preferences on the Russian market. We win our place in the sun through competition. Nevertheless, you can find the products of our meat processing plant throughout RUSSIA - from Kaliningrad to Kamchatka. As a rule, we do not work with large retail chains.

Export relations with other countries are also developing. The company cooperates on an ongoing basis with more than 10 countries. They are aimed at expanding their presence in the People's Republic of CHINA (where the meat processing plant's branded outlets now operate) and Latin American countries. For now, these are rather image decisions, which, however, over time can develop into long-term cooperation.

And finally, we can’t help but tell you about another highlight of the enterprise. We are, of course, talking about the “Garadzensky Maentak “Karobchytsy”, which from a small corporate history has turned into a favorite vacation spot not only for residents of Grodno and the region, but also for all Belarusians, as well as numerous foreign tourists.

– This is an amazing place that breathes and, one might say, personifies history. A lot of effort and money went into its creation. Today it is an attractive tourist site. There are many interesting locations and activities here. In particular, the zoo, the unique arboretum "Lukomorye", many fairy-tale characters who actively communicate with visitors. Of course, there are also artisan workshops. All this splendor is crowned by the “Grodno Fortress. Partisan Camp”. I invite everyone to come to us and not only taste delicious products, but also have a great rest. We are waiting for you in Grodno,” summarized Oleg Ivanov.

Chairman of the expert council of the international business award "Leader of the Year - 2023", deputy of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus Pyotr Vabishchevich highly appreciated the level of the submitted applicants.

– This is not our first time in Grodno, but on each of our visits, enterprises present new surprises on the positive side. Today our country is going through not the easiest times. Nevertheless, by their own example, enterprises show that it is possible to develop and look for new approaches in any situation, said Petr Vabishchevich.

The chairman of the expert council especially drew attention to ensuring the country's food security. Both OJSC "Grodno Meat Processing Plant" and OJSC "Molochny Mir" are coping with this task, despite all the difficulties.

– For our country, food security is perhaps one of the most important issues. It is important not only to provide it, but also to make the products high quality and in demand. Enterprises cope with this task successfully, saturating not only the Belarusian market, but also sending products for export .

Separately, Pyotr Vabishchevich noted the Grodno Agrarian University.

– High level of education, good material and technical base. It is not for nothing that the HEAD of State pays so much attention to agriculture. And we see the result not only in indicators, but also in the training of personnel for this area,” noted Pyotr Vabishchevich.

Nikolai Yakovchik , Director of the Institute for Advanced Studies and Retraining of Personnel in the Agro-Industrial Complex of the Belarusian State Agrarian Technical University, DOCTOR of Economic Sciences, Doctor of Agricultural Sciences, Professor, Honored Worker of Agriculture of the Republic of Belarus, highly appreciated the candidates from Grodno.

– You always come to this city in high spirits. This time we visited several key enterprises and an educational institution. What we saw is truly impressive. The level of production, the quality of products, the attitude towards education is what we should all strive for today. I believe that today’s applicants will adequately represent Grodno at the international business award “Leader of the Year – 2023,” summed up Nikolai Yakovchik.

The winners of the Grand Prix of the international business award “Leader of the Year – 2023” will be determined on December 15. By this time, the expert council will have visited many Belarusian enterprises. Follow the news.