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Lukashenko praises decent crops in fields despite complicated year
KIROVSK DISTRICT, 28 August (BelTA) – The year has not been simple but the crops in the fields are decent. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made the statement during a conference held on 28 August to discuss topical aspects of potato farming in the country, BelTA has learned.
Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “The harvesting campaign is in full swing. Everything the government has asked for has been done. The result is up to you now. Potato farming proceeds in parallel with beet farming, including sugar beet, the farming of maize, cabbages, carrots. The year has not been simple but I repeat that the crops in the fields are decent. It is necessary to gather them in and preserve them.”
Storage conditions were mentioned during the conversation, including the storage of potatoes, which were high on agenda of Aleksandr Lukashenko’s working trip to Kirovsk District. At the local agricultural enterprise OAO Rassvet named after K.P. Orlovsky the head of state was made familiar with the technologies used to process and store potatoes. “We’ve seen a converted storage facility today where potatoes are stored quite well,” he added.
At the same time it is necessary to keep not only potatoes but also other vegetables, the Belarusian leader stressed. “We need to keep beet, onions, carrots, and cabbages for a certain period. This is why it is necessary to approach it wisely. Time has come,” Aleksandr Lukashenko is convinced. “If we sleep at the wheel, it will be a disaster.”
Lukashenko tells retailers to keep Belarusian potatoes in stock
KIROVSK DISTRICT, 28 August (BelTA) – Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko has warned heads of retail chains that it is unacceptable not to keep quality and affordable domestic potatoes in stock during a meeting to discuss the development of potato farming in Belarus, BelTA has learned.
“I would like to warn heads of retail chains that lack of affordable high-quality domestic potatoes in stores will have dire consequences for all money-grubbers,” the head of state said.
Specialists believe Belarus will manage to harvest one million tonnes of potatoes this year, a one-third increase year-on-year. Together with the output from potatoes grown by individuals, the total yield may reach about 3.5 million tonnes. According to Aleksandr Lukashenko, this will make it possible not only to fully meet domestic needs but also to export. “The past spring has shown that our potatoes are in high demand on foreign markets. It even escalated to panic buying, with reports of empty shelves in our stores,” he added.
The president reminded that the government had been instructed to take all necessary measures to prevent a repeat of the situation. In his words, Belarusians should be able to buy domestic potatoes (as well as onions, carrots and cabbage) at an affordable price all year round.
At the same time, the Belarusian leader emphasized, there is no need to endlessly wash potatoes in order to sell them at a higher price. “Any farmer knows that washed potatoes will not keep for long, they will rot. And as a result, you will simply throw them away. Therefore, approach this matter wisely,” Aleksandr Lukashenko instructed.
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