Lukashenko: The harvest is our food front, and in war, the one who is better prepared wins.

For Belarusians, the harvest is a food front, and on the war, the better prepared wins. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko drew attention to this at a conference call on the harvesting campaign, a BELTA correspondent reports.

This is not the first time the head of state has held a large conference call on the harvesting campaign. This format allows for a real-time view of the situation on the ground, all successes and shortcomings. "The harvest is always the number one issue. In essence, it is the moment of truth and the finish of the great work of the entire agro-industrial complex during the agricultural year," Alexander Lukashenko noted.

"In order to ensure our own food security, so that we have both 'bread and what goes with bread', as people say, so that processors are provided with raw materials, and livestock farming with feed, we all need to organize ourselves to the maximum now. The harvest is, if you will, our food front. And everything depends on this front. And in war, as in war. The one who is better prepared, who has mobilized all resources and fights from dawn till dusk wins. Today, we need to honestly answer the question: where are we coping, and where are we falling short. And urgently correct all shortcomings and deficiencies," the President emphasized.

The head of state addressed a number of questions on topical issues to those responsible for the agro-industrial complex: what is the current situation with the harvest and what will happen in the future based on this, are there any unresolved issues, including the readiness of grain harvesting equipment, and in what condition are the grain cleaning and drying complexes?

"It is necessary to utilize the production capacities of the grain processing plants; they must organize the acceptance and processing of grain around the clock," the President instructed. "If there are free storage facilities, they should be filled with cheap purchased grain."

Alexander Lukashenko also demanded that the state grain order be strictly fulfilled and expressed confidence that it would be so: "This is our food gold reserve."

Separately, the Head of State inquired about labor resource provision. "Grain harvesting is a nationwide effort. As reported, it is planned to attract an additional 3,000 machine operators, as was the case last year," he said. "I know many men, especially those from rural areas, specifically take leave in July and get jobs as combine operators to earn good extra money for their families (children will be sent to school soon). Together with industrial enterprises, let the governors present plans on where and whom they will recruit. There should be no shortage of workwear or proper hot meals in the field. People must be fed on time."

Alexander Lukashenko paid special attention to maintaining order and discipline. "The Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Emergency Situations must ensure the protection of fields and people from fires, and monitor that harvesting and grain-drying equipment does not catch fire," he noted.

The Head of State also pointed out the need to assist those living on private farms, where about 30,000 hectares are sown with grain crops. "Special attention should be paid to elderly and single citizens, and villagers. Surplus grain will be purchased by grain processing plants," he said.

Speaking about the work of mass media, Alexander Lukashenko emphasized that the frontrunners of the harvest are the true heroes of our time: "They deserve to be proud of and emulated by the entire country. I see that this work has begun, and it needs to be expanded and deepened."

"Assess your strengths and resources. The level of work organization and labor discipline must be exemplary. You see what is happening around," the President concluded. "I often ask you and remind you: the main thing for peace and tranquility is the economy."

Source: belta.by