Lukashenko: Belarus's food security is ensured, but this is not enough

Belarus' food security is ensured, but many reserves in agriculture have not yet been tapped. This was stated by President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, summing up the results of a meeting on rural development and improving the efficiency of the agricultural sector, according to a BELTA correspondent.

"We must preserve the country, we - our generation. Repeat the experience: we have enough experience that needs to be copied and repeated," Alexander Lukashenko noted.

"The fact that we have focused on the negative here today does not mean that everything is bad. Everything is much better than it was. People are fed - at affordable prices. You see that we are trying to keep prices reasonable. Some are howling, moaning, but nevertheless, they are fed and clothed at affordable prices. Our food security is ensured. But, as I told the industrialists, I will tell you too: this is not enough. We can always sell your products. The world population is growing, there are millions of starving people. If we make an effort, our products will be bought," the President stated.

He stressed that this year agriculture is obliged to produce milk, meat, eggs, vegetables, fruits, and other products to meet the country's full needs. "This is your main task," said the head of state. "And figure out where the stabilization funds are, in what volume apples, pears, and the like should be concentrated. We should not spend currency to buy apples - Polish or some other. Sanctions are sanctions, but they are bringing this product here, and we are giving them currency."

Alexander Lukashenko once again drew attention to the problem of intermediation in procurement, whether it be seeds, feed, or equipment. "God forbid the State Control Committee reports that you are not buying it yourself, but some intermediary structures are bringing it to you," he warned. "Centralize. And if someone (we cannot forbid it) brings it and offers it at a lower price than yours, we will gladly buy it from them."

The President also touched upon the development of farming in the country. He recalled that previously this issue was not very relevant for Belarus: first of all, it was necessary to save agriculture, not to cut land and distribute it in pieces. Now times are different.

"If a wealthy private individual has approached you and wants to take over some collective farms or a whole collective farm in the Vitebsk or Mogilev region, give it to them. And the peasants should not be offended by us today. 25 years ago, this factor existed, and I took it into account. If we had started distributing all this, we would have had an agrarian revolution. Today, the private sector has proven itself. And if there are capable private individuals who are ready to work, give it a try. Let them work under lease for two or three years, as we did in the Vitebsk region - we gave two farms. I'm watching with one eye: it seems they are trying, they want to do something, they earn money somewhere else and invest it there. The road is open for such farmers," said the head of state.

As at the recent meeting on industry, Alexander Lukashenko paid special attention to the inadmissibility of corruption: "I ask you, gentlemen, do not do this. I always say: it is better to be poor and free than rich and in prison. That is why I say that you should not have any intermediaries, you should control procurement and sales yourself."

The President also promised to study the problem of rural housing, as there can sometimes be imbalances. "We will adjust these programs, especially next year. We need to study the problem this year. So that it doesn't turn out that we can't settle 6,000 vacant houses. They say, give us money for housing. So settle the houses that are available. But we will adjust," he said.

One of the most important issues that Belarus actively tackled last year is land reclamation. There are still many unresolved issues. "It's terrible to look at some parts of Belarus. We have neglected reclaimed land to an extreme degree. Now we need to restore everything by storm in three years. But I would really like you to carry out land improvement works on at least 10, 20, or 100 hectares in each farm, and we will carry out the restoration of reclaimed land at the state level," set the task Alexander Lukashenko.

The head of state warned that he was returning to the work of district agro-service enterprises for the last time. "District agro-service enterprises will exist. This is also help for struggling farms, so that they can take equipment from under the fence and make one unit out of two or three. You are doing this in the region. But this can be done at the district level. That is, there will always be work for former district agricultural machinery. It cannot be destroyed. There is at least some base there," the President noted.

"We have built quite a few agricultural complexes. We will consider it a crime of the governor and the chairman of the district executive committee if they are not equipped. Why did we build them? A decision must be made here. But the complexes must be equipped," Alexander Lukashenko demanded.

"Once again: I'm not saying it's bad, but it's not what it should be. And I feel that it could be bad. Therefore, we need to get down to business at the right time and act so that our children don't have to strain later. I don't think we told you anything new at this meeting, we discovered America. You all know and understand this perfectly well. But I want to tell you once again that nothing new is needed, let's deliver results the old-fashioned way. Let's do it as we know how and have done before. Let's go this way, and we will have results. And in parallel, we will gradually bring you a "smart" tractor by the right moment. If someone is ready, we will mass-produce this tractor specifically for you, we have already learned to make it, it has shown itself well. But I think that the era of the tractor driver on our traditional tractor is not over yet. Therefore, put things in order and maintain discipline. You must be an example for everyone, so that no one points a finger at you. You need to mobilize," the Belarusian leader concluded.

Source: belta.by