Opinions & Interviews

ORSHA, 19 September (BelTA) – Flax is a great culture and flax goods need to be popularized in Belarus, President Alexander Lukashenko said at an meeting held at the Orsha Flax Mill on 19 September to discuss the development of the country’s flax industry, BelTA has learned.

Alexander Lukashenko noted that a lot has been done in the country to improve its flax industry. “This culture is “political” for Belarus. It is present on the state emblem of our country. That is not the case of politics of course. It is simply a wonderful product,” the head of state said.

“A short formula is to eat and wear what you produce on your land. You will not find better products than those cultivated on the land you have been grown up on. No oranges, lemons and bananas will be able to replace the food that is produced here,” the President said.

“We still know little about the connection between man and these products. People, however, made the right conclusion long time ago: you will be healthy if you eat the food grown on your land. The same is true about clothes. This is our fabric. I am not even talking about patriotism. It is really healthy,” the President noted. He stressed that more textile such as the one he was shown at the Orsha Flax Mill should be produced for the market. “I am confident that if shown in Russia, they will go like hot cakes there. Russian people know and remember what flax is famous for,” the head of state added.

“According to the Belarusian Statistics Committee, Belarus is ranked second in flax fiber production worldwide. It is time the quantity was turned into quality. The former glory of the Belarusian flax should be revived. We should be trendsetters in this area,” the President stressed.