Farming standards are a top priority

The issues of melioration and careful attitude to land resources were in the focus of attention of the Head of State during a working trip to the Tolochin District of the Vitebsk Region

The President visited Amkodor-KEZ. The company is the country’s only manufacturer of reclamation machines and single-bucket hydraulic tracked and wheeled excavators and trenchers in Belarus. The plant also produces bulldozers, telescopic loaders, canal cleaners and mowers.
Aleksandr Lukashenko expressed confidence that the production of land reclamation equipment is an economically profitable area, and it needs to be further developed. The Head of State noted that this equipment is in demand not only in Belarus, but also abroad, in particular in Russia.
The President was told that the enterprise is developing steadily. This applies both the facility in Kokhanovo and Amkodor Holding Company in general. A number of import-substituting projects are being implemented, including with the credit support of the state. The company plans to increase investments.
In particular, the facility in Tolochin District needs additional workforce and is ready to hire people. 
“Housing is indeed needed to retain people,” emphasised Aleksandr Lukashenko. The President stressed that there are prospects for the facility and the settlement as a whole. Moreover, the Amkodor facility is not the only manufacture here. For example, there is a woodworking enterprise that produces components for modern wooden housing construction. Innovative approaches allow building such houses up to eight floors high.
Aleksandr Lukashenko highlighted the importance of the project, including in terms of export. With relatively small investments, it can yield a good return. It uses local raw materials and labour resources and helps realise regional development goals.
“If you see the demand in the market, then it should be done instantly. If this is a good project, then it is necessary to invest in it. Moreover, these are jobs, raw materials that we do not always process. Housing construction is necessary. I think Russians are doing something similar,” stressed the Head of State.


Vitebsk District Governor Aleksandr Subbotin confirmed it, “Lithuanians approached us with this project, too.”
The President responded abruptly and unambiguously to that,

“I don’t want to see your Lithuanians, Finns, and the rest anywhere close anymore. We know how they came here and how they abandoned everything and quit. We know it. I am already getting signals that Finnish owners of an enterprise I don’t want to name have fled. Meanwhile, Lithuanians are running about and looking for ways to sell their enterprise at a profit instead of abandoning it. So, I want them to know that nobody will sell anything with foreign capital. It will be nationalised.” 

After a detailed report on the state of affairs in Amkodor Holding Company and the facility in Kochanovo, Aleksandr Lukashenko toured the production floor and modernised workshops.
The Head of State was also presented a wide range of manufactured machines, main components and units created within the framework of the import substitution programme, and demonstrated the operation of reclamation equipment in practice.
Later, Aleksandr Lukashenko took part in the plenary session of the national workshop to discuss restoration and use of reclaimed lands in Belarus.
“Today we are talking about the most important thing — about land reclamation. We can’t delay it. We need to, as in wartime conditions, gird our loins and solve this problem. Furthermore, we can do it,” emphasised Aleksandr Lukashenko.
The President recalled that this work began in the 1970s and lasted almost 20 years. In terms of scale and significance for Belarus, it was, in fact, similar to the electrification plan of the young USSR.
Reclaimed land in Belarus account for 37 percent of all farmland — almost 3 million hectares. Most of them, 80 percent, are in Brest, Vitebsk, Gomel and Minsk Regions.
“These lands produce a third of crop production, including more than half of green fodder needed for animal husbandry. Therefore, the issue of whether Belarus should continue with land reclamation is not even on the agenda today. 

My strictest requirement remains the same: every piece of such land should be used for the benefit of the country. Today’s major issue is not just land reclamation but farming standards,” highlighted the President. 

At the same time, the Head of State demanded that the financing of these works be carried out, among other things, by the enterprises themselves: 
“It’s justified. Today, we have set ourselves a target of $8 billion in exports. Firstly, we can earn this money. Secondly, you will develop these agricultural lands with our help in order to recoup these projects later. 
The government will provide some financing. But you have to be involved too. Let it be two kopecks, but you must invest in order to value it afterwards,” said Aleksandr Lukashenko.
The government assured the President that the measures taken in 2022 would return almost 55,000 hectares of land into agricultural use. But by November 1st, we had had only 31,000 hectares.
“Let me tell you frankly: I am alarmed by this attitude. Moreover, the State Control Committee reports that problems, shortcomings, and facts of mismanagement are the same every year. I will outline the main,” said Aleksandr Lukashenko.


First. The Head of State stated that 20 districts had shut down their own land amelioration enterprises, including five districts in Vitebsk Region, eight in Grodno Region, and seven in Mogilev Region. The President demanded it is necessary to determine what districts need land amelioration enterprises and what districts can do without them. But there must be order in this matter, Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed.
“Naturally, people started leaving. Particularly blue-collar workers. The number of workers dropped by 3,500 people or by nearly 30 percent over six years. We cannot do anything without people,” stressed the Head of State. 
Aleksandr Lukashenko went on saying that an audit indicated that land amelioration enterprises in Novogrudok District, Slonim District, and Smorgon District could not use their machines for half a year due to the lack of operators and drivers.
It is also necessary to enable comfortable living standards in the countryside in order to attract qualified personnel, the Head of State noted. It primarily applies to housing.
“We’ve made timber cheaper. We can make it even cheaper if necessary. but all of it must be under control. Rented housing is necessary: we have to hand it over to the enterprise while the enterprise will rent it out to people,” he explained.
Second. According to the Head of State, the level of deterioration of land amelioration machines and equipment is off the charts. Some have been left idle for 1.5 years due to repairs. The situation is most desperate in Vitebsk Region and Mogilev Region.
The President reminded about his previous instructions: it is necessary to refurbish old machines and vehicles and manufacturers themselves should help agricultural enterprises repair machines and vehicles. 
Third. The quality of work has plummeted in the last few years, which is only natural considering the attitude to this work, the President remarked.
“They continue finding sordid examples in absolutely all parts of the country. Meanwhile, I should say that I am absolutely convinced that all the mobile construction companies know how to do their work properly. Then do it. Mobilise people. You will accomplish nothing without iron discipline and order. And certainly you cannot force people to work with a fist these days. You have to pay people well,” said the Head of State. 
Fourth. The President also pointed out false records about work done. It is absolutely unacceptable, he noted. According to the State Control Committee, false reports ‘earned’ Br36,500 for Ostrovets District enterprises, Br22,000 for Kobrin District enterprises, and nearly Br25,000 for Oktyabrsky District enterprises.
“It is stolen money. Such outrage must not be tolerated. In addition to failing to execute plans and failing to use the lands you use false reports to cover up your mismanagement. If someone is too blind to see the conditions we live in now (wartime conditions, I repeat it once again), then trust me I have enough power to bring these people to their senses. Including the central government and the regional administrations. I don’t threaten you but in this situation people rarely understand good words and the tasks set in a calm manner,” the President warned.
Aleksandr Lukashenko also instructed to plan a visit to the reclamation facility in the presidential schedule in order to get acquainted with the ongoing work in this area on the spot.

Summing up results of the session, the Head of State explained that he sets tough performance tasks for a reason, “Trust me I have much more information than those, who are present here. Several times more. And I cannot tell you everything. This is why, generally speaking, I always say: firstly, do your jobs. Secondly, economy is our salvation. If everything is normal in our economy, no wars will befall the country, there will be simply none. This is why I sometimes push for very tough performance goals.”

Based on materials of sb.by and belta.by
Photos by BELTA