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

Belarus's 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 increasing the efficiency of the agricultural sector, BelTA reports.

"We need to keep 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 howl and groan, 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's population is growing, millions are starving. If we make an effort, our products will be bought," the President stated.

"Harness yourselves and work." Lukashenko named the strategic goal in agriculture.

He stressed that this year agriculture is obliged to produce milk, meat, eggs, vegetables, fruits, and other products to fully meet the country's 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 so on should be concentrated. We should not spend currency on buying apples - Polish or any other. Sanctions are sanctions, but they bring this product here, and we give them our currency." Alexander Lukashenko once again drew attention to the problem of intermediation in organizing 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 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 the times are different. "If a wealthy private individual has approached you and wants to take 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 anymore. This factor existed 25 years ago, 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, try it. Let them work for two or three years on lease, as we did in the Vitebsk region - we gave two farms. I am observing 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," the head of state stated. As at the recent meeting on industry, Alexander Lukashenko paid special attention to the inadmissibility of corruption: "I ask you, men, 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 have no intermediaries, you should control procurement and sales yourself." The President also promised to study the problem of housing in rural areas, 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 does not turn out that we cannot settle 6,000 vacant houses. They say, give us money for housing. So you

settle into 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 certain parts of Belarus. We have neglected the reclaimed lands to an impossible extent. Now we need to restore everything within three years. But I would really like you to carry out land improvement works on at least 10, 20, 100 hectares in each farm, and we at the state level will carry out the restoration of reclaimed lands," set the task Alexander Lukashenko.

"There is something to be proud of, but we need to move forward." This is what Lukashenko demands from agricultureThe head of state warned that this is the last time he is returning to the work of district agro-services. "District agro-services will exist. This includes helping weak farms, taking equipment from under the fence and making one unit out of two or three. You are doing this in the region. But this can be done on a district basis. That is, there will always be work for the 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 staffed. Why did we build them? A decision must be made here. But the complexes must be staffed," demanded Alexander Lukashenko.

"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 didn't discover America. You all know and understand this perfectly well. But I want to tell you once again that there's no need for anything new, let's deliver results as before.

Let's do it the way we know how and have done before. Let's go down this path, and we will achieve results. And in parallel, gradually, an "intelligent" tractor will be delivered to you at the right time. If someone is ready, we will replicate this tractor specifically for you; we have already learned to make it, and it has performed well. But I think that a century has not yet passed for the tractor driver on our traditional tractor. Therefore, put things in order and maintain discipline. You must be an example for everyone, so that no one points a finger at you. We need to mobilize," the Belarusian leader concluded.

Source: www.belta.by