August 5, 2013

Belarus' 2013 grain harvest to reach over nine million tonnes

Belarus is set to harvest more than nine million tonnes of grain (including corn) and fully satisfy its needs in fodder grain in 2013.

Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko was briefed during his working trip to Minsk Oblast on August 2, BelTA has learnt.

According to Agriculture and Food Minister Leonid Zayats, more than three million tonnes of grain have already been cropped, with the average yield of 33 centners/hectare. The harvesting campaign has slowed down a bit over the past few days due to rainy weather. Agrarians, however, hope to complete the harvesting works in time. All necessary measures have been taken: fleet of combine harvesters has been renewed and a sufficient amount of fuel has been stocked.

"There are no constraining factors. Weather is the only factor that can influence harvesting works," the minister said. "As for the gross harvest, long winter led to a weak harvest of winter crops. However, spring crops look pretty good. Due to the fact that the spring wheat crop is going to be slightly higher than last year, we will provide gross harvest, corn included, at the level of at least nine million tonnes," said Leonid Zayats.

This year Belarus will have not to buy feed grain. The domestic harvest will be sufficient. "The world calculates grain crops, spiked cereals and corn together. We should harvest over nine million tonnes, as was last year," said Alexander Lukashenko.

In Minsk District Alexander Lukashenko visited a dairy farm of the agricultural enterprise Minsky of the company OAO DorORS to get familiar with the progress in barley harvesting and with the technology of grass forage storing. The head of state was reported that this year the amount of plastic wrapped silage is nearly twice as much as last year, though this is still below the target. Next year there are plans to wrap a third of silage in plastic. For this farms are acquiring the necessary equipment. The President was assured that this form of fodder conservation contributes to the maximum preservation of forage, which is good for the productivity of livestock.