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The agro-industrial complex of the Vitebsk region shows positive dynamics, but this is not enough and there are still plenty of problems. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko drew attention to this during a meeting on topical issues of the Vitebsk region's development.

"One of the hottest (issues. - Editorial note) is the harvest and fodder procurement. A month ago, at a conference call, we discussed all the acute issues and made the necessary decisions on both harvesting and specifically on regions, including Vitebsk. Nevertheless, a number of problems remain: over a third of the areas in the Vitebsk region are still not harvested, grain yields are significantly lower than last year, and fodder procurement is also below last year's level," Alexander Lukashenko noted.

The head of state pointed out that there are indeed objective factors in the form of drought, which the regional leadership can refer to, but this situation was not everywhere: "Half was dried out, half had normal crops. It was necessary to compensate for the crop shortfall in the drought-stricken areas with a good harvest, for example, in the western regions."

The President asked the chairman of the regional executive committee to report on the preliminary results of the harvesting campaign. Alexander Lukashenko noted that the harvesting of many other crops, including corn, is still ahead, and this crop can be used to compensate for the shortfall in cereal grains.

"We must assess the work of the agro-industrial complex of Vitebsk region as a whole. And if Vitebsk region or other regions of our country have a shortfall in cereal grains, rapeseed, we have excellent corn. I warned the Deputy Prime Minister and the new Minister of Agriculture that the most difficult and important stage is ahead - to prepare for and harvest the corn. Especially for grain. The corn is standing as excellent as never before, an excellent harvest. And I am sure that if we harvest everything, we can get another two million tons of corn grain," the Belarusian leader stated.

However, he warned that simply chasing grain yield figures is not worthwhile; the corn harvest should be approached considering local needs: "Whether to harvest corn for grain or silage is up to you. Don't chase after just getting grain. If a good cob has formed, then corn silage will also be very good. Especially for the Vitebsk region. And for others too."

Speaking directly about the situation in the agro-industrial complex of the Vitebsk region, Alexander Lukashenko recalled that more than three years ago, Decree No. 70 was issued - the region received significant state support in the form of debt write-offs, installment payments for obligations over 15 years, and so on.

"Remember our conversation - tough, manly. We have reviewed the performance of the Vitebsk agro-industrial complex repeatedly, including at field meetings. The current governor assured that an increase in efficiency would be ensured. It is clear that there is nowhere to retreat for the Vitebsk region, nor for Mogilev, nor for Gomel, nor for others," the President of Belarus noted. "Today we see some positive shifts: the region's agriculture as a whole shows positive dynamics, milk production and milk yield per cow are growing (if there are no feeds, this dynamic will collapse). This is extremely insufficient. We have plenty of problems."

For example, the cattle population and production are declining, there is a shortage of raw materials, and the capacities of meat processing plants are underutilized. "They are only a third utilized. Dairy enterprises are 70% utilized. There is room to grow and places to process raw materials - milk and meat," the President said.

He also drew attention to the weak discipline in settlements for supplied agricultural products. "This is unacceptable! If an enterprise does not have money to pay the farmers - pay from the budget. Sit without salaries yourselves, but return the money to the people. Especially for the supplied milk and meat," the head of state demanded.

"The saddest thing is that we are not settling accounts, including with the population, from whom systematic complaints are received," Alexander Lukashenko noted.

He asked the head of the region to report on what reserves he sees and how the year is planned to be completed.