Lukashenko urges agricultural sector to invest in production, land

“It’s important to have some cash reserves. That’s clear. But there’s no need to hoard money now, letting it lie idle as dead weight somewhere, even in bank accounts. It’s better to invest it. This is necessary. We will encourage you to do this. Especially officials, state enterprises. And private ones too. After all, they also come to us for support. Well then, let’s address state issues. Therefore, you need to invest. Where should you invest? You need to invest in enterprises, kolkhozes [collective farms], sovkhozes [state farms], you need to invest in land. Because that’s where the feed and the grain you will need for your poultry comes from. And if there’s pig farming, something else... That’s grain. You can’t feed pigs and especially poultry with hay, straw, or silage alone – you’ll need grain. That’s why you need to invest,” the head of state said.

“It’s good that your enterprise is developing. A huge enterprise [Agrokombinat Dzerzhinsky]. You are operating profitably. You must proceed with these mergers very cautiously,” Aleksandr Lukashenko added.

The president asked how many districts in the country Agrokombinat Dzerzhinsky already operates in.

“Nine districts in Minsk Oblast. Now the issue of incorporating the Orsha Meat Processing Plant is under consideration, which includes four more enterprises. Those are in Orsha District and Tolochin District,” Vladimir Lukyanov replied.

“This requires your serious consideration. Above all, ensure you aren’t burdened with any extra liabilities. Your company is already vast in scale,” the head of state said.

Nevertheless, Aleksandr Lukashenko expressed confidence that the head of Agrokombinat Dzerzhinsky would certainly be able to help organizationally in developing production: “Maybe you won’t even have to invest money. But organizationally, I’m sure you’ll make Orsha District and adjacent Tolochin District work as they should. Maybe we shouldn’t even dismantle this integrated structure. What’s bad about it? A meat processing plant with enterprises around it. Yes, those enterprises are weak. Well, you need to make them work and become strong.”

“I want you to take a look too. Maybe somewhere, like in the west of Vitebsk Oblast, take control of some integrated structure. You’ll manage there faster, given your experience,” the president said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko cited as an example a similar approach to expanding raw material zones for other companies working in the agricultural sector: “We have a couple of good, capable ones. Sasha Moshensky and Zhenya Baskin. We told them in Vitebsk Oblast: ‘If you want, here’s a raw material zone, an integrated structure, as we call it. Take it, show what you can do. Make some steps, and we will help’.”

The president also inquired how much land is currently part of Agrokombinat Dzerzhinsky. The head of the enterprise reported 130,000 hectares.

“We probably don’t even have a district that large in the country. And you have that much land and production,” the head of state said.

Given the structure of the enterprise, where poultry farming constitutes a significant share, Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized the importance of securing feed supplies.

“That’s why we are gradually adding land, increasing revenue and profit. Using that revenue and profit, we incorporate these enterprises. In February, Slutsk Meat Processing Plant will join the structure, along with its debts, which we are taking on. We will service and repay them using the profits,” the head of the enterprise explained.

“Make sure that when you take over Slutsk Meat Processing Plant (yes, you will process your own volumes), its existing raw material zone doesn’t fall away. In fact, you’ll need it to keep that plant loaded,” the head of state said.