News & Events in Belarus

Lukashenko calls for major overhaul of Mogilev Oblast by next year

MINSK, 18 September (BelTA) – Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko began his working trip to Shklov District with sharp criticism after his helicopter landed at the Govyady-Agro agricultural enterprise, BelTA has learned.

Flax was grown on this exact field this season, but the quality of the harvest leaves much to be desired.

“Were you trying to show how work shouldn’t be done? People should be jailed for this,” the head of state said. “What is going on here? I know you didn’t expect me here, as this is the middle of nowhere for you.”

“Is this your idea of flax pulling? It’s terrible. I never expected this from you [the governor of Mogilev Oblast]. As for you [the agriculture and food minister and the president’s aide for the region], I suggest you stop theorizing and start taking concrete action. This is an absolute nightmare. We’ll look into this. Such things are unacceptable. Did you harvest this flax? No, you destroyed it. There is no flax here. And what’s left is completely rotten.”

Addressing the officials, the president stated: “This shows that you only clear up the areas the president visits most often, or those right next to the highway. You never look into the remote corners. If you dared to land the president on a field like this, then the rest of your plots must be in an absolute state of horror.”

The head of state heard a report on the situation at Govyady-Agro, which recently brought in a new director. Officials reported that the farm generally has sufficient staff, specialists, and machinery, noting a request for only a few more high-powered tractors and harvesters. Aleksandr Lukashenko pointed out that while ordering the machinery is not an issue, the real question is how the farm intends to pay for it given its current performance. “Buy it. But what are you going to buy it with, given this flax harvest? There is no basic discipline here. If there is no technology compliance, why should we give you tractors and combines?” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

In this regard, he pointed out that such expensive machinery must be assigned to skilled operators and properly maintained and serviced to last for a decade or more.

The president stated that he would continue visiting such remote corners, issuing a stern warning to officials: “Mobilize the entire region and get to work. Otherwise, this will be our last conversation.”

The head of state also pointed to the quality of plowing and soil cultivation, emphasizing that fields must not lie idle for years or become overgrown with grass. “If a single meter is left unplowed – you have whole fields lying idle here – you will no longer hold your positions. I am saying this to you publicly, to both of you,” the president warned the minister and the governor.

Turning to the farm and district leadership, he said: “The farming standards must be exceptionally high. What you have here is a total disaster. If this had happened in Soviet times, you would have been put in handcuffs and thrown in jail immediately. Everything must be plowed to maximum capacity. And you need to mobilize everyone here in Govyady.”

The head of state then arrived at the Govyady dairy complex – a destination he chose himself. He was briefed on the housing and veterinary care of the cattle, an area where the farm had previously faced severe issues. Shortages in home-grown feed had also been reported, leading to a drop in milk yields. Currently, the situation has been stabilized, and livestock mortality has been minimized. With a promising corn crop ahead, feed supplies are expected to improve significantly.

Aleksandr Lukashenko questioned Yelena Mariutse, the head of the Govyady Dairy Complex No. 1, in detail about the situation and gave an overall positive assessment. “She is a fully qualified livestock specialist. We should deploy her to a farm immediately. What we need are highly competent professionals.”

The head of state’s words clearly moved the woman, which was immediately noticed by President’s Aide – Inspector for Mogilev Oblast Nadezhda Kotkovets: “Aleksandr Grigoryevich [Lukashenko], she is worried to tears about her complex. She is already crying, thinking it’s being taken away from her.”

“I am not sending you away anywhere,” Aleksandr Lukashenko immediately reassured her.

“These are tears of joy,” Yelena Mariutse explained. “I had very good teachers. I started my career in livestock farming at the Rodina collective farm under Aleksandr Lapotentov [a well-known manager who turned a once struggling enterprise into one of the most advanced and profitable farms in Belarus].”

“Well done. She understands the job and is in complete control of the situation,” the president said.

The complex manager shared that she lives nearby and has been working at the facility for 15 years. Yelena Mariutse’s husband also works there as a machinery operator, and their eldest daughter is a veterinary assistant.

As it turned out, the farm is currently without a livestock specialist. “Well, here is your livestock specialist,” the president repeated, pointing to Yelena Mariutse.

“Actually, I’m a librarian by education,” she suddenly confessed.

“I don’t care about your formal education. The main thing is that you maintain order. She knows exactly what needs to be done. We need to expand this approach to other complexes. She will just need support. She remembers how Lapotentov worked – he was a true professional. Well done, you are a real manager,” Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized.

During the president’s visit to the dairy complex, Yelena Mariutse noted that the farm was in dire need of a new, modern mixer-feeder. The old one is already two decades old and long overdue for a replacement.

“Within a week, she must have a new feed mixer as a gift from me. And you repair this old one for her so it can be kept in reserve,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

Addressing Aleksei Ladnov, the newly appointed director of Govyady-Agro, the head of state offered several practical tips on how to manage and structure operations across the farm. “There should be no unearned wages here. If there is no discipline, there will be nothing,” the president emphasized. “I saw all of this. If anyone crosses you, deal with them with ironclad resolve. If you don’t do it now, you never will. Everything must be done on time. And since you have arrived, they must understand that this is a serious matter.”

Aleksandr Lukashenko instructed the regional leadership to take control of the situation at the farm and this dairy complex, bringing in outside help if necessary, and to clean up both the equipment and the grounds. “The complex must be in perfect condition here by 7 November,” he said.

Summing up his visit to Govyady-Agro, Aleksandr Lukashenko explained once again why he decided to make this virtually unplanned trip to the farm: “We shouldn’t just go where everything is good. We need to look where things are bad too. As it turns out, you can actually work here. You have good people here.”

For example, a basic calf barn was set up at the dairy complex, and operations were properly organized. “This is exactly what I asked to build,” the head of state noted. “Not some lavish calf houses, but a basic barn like this. It’s cheap and costs next to nothing. But you started building ‘palaces.’ Fine, let there be ‘palaces.’ Look at what is actually needed – this classic, simple model. Nothing more is required. And there is zero livestock mortality. But the most important thing is the people and discipline.”

The head of state called for restoring order and tightening discipline. He noted that everything necessary is already in place, including a relatively high, though not yet fully earned, salary. At Govyady-Agro, the average monthly salary stands at Br2,840.

The president assessed the situation at this dairy complex positively, noting zero livestock mortality, a highly technological approach to processes, and decent milk yields. However, he stressed the need to restore total order and tighten discipline.

The head of state also warned President’s Aide – Inspector for Mogilev Oblast Nadezhda Kotkovets that she will be held accountable, adding that the next year would serve as a ultimate litmus test for her performance.

Speaking on addressing the shortcomings, Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized that over the coming year, Mogilev Oblast must undergo a radical overhaul, with visible results achieved across all sectors.