Belarus’ Agriculture and Food Ministry on harvesting campaign

Belarus’ Agriculture and Food Minister Anatoly Linevich reported on the progress of the harvesting campaign in the country during today’s conference call with the President of Belarus

“This year, the harvesting area of grain and leguminous crops stands at 2 million 100 thousand hectares – 68 thousand hectares up compared to last year’s level. Corn crops have reached 300 thousand hectares – 14 thousand hectares up compared to a year earlier,” the official noted.

Anatoly Linevich reported that 800 thousand tonnes of winter barley have been harvested this year, with the crop yield exceeding 30 quintals per hectare.

At the same time, he added that the conditions of overwintering did not allow for a better result. Moreover, technological flaws were made during the care of crops.

“This year we are not reducing areas under crops and plan 277 thousand hectares,” the Agriculture and Food Minister added.

As far as rapeseed is concerned, 75 percent of this crop has been harvested, with the average yield standing at 26 quintals per hectare.

“It is necessary to deal with rape, mostly winter. It’s also necessary to deal with spring rape in the northern regions, because the conditions of overwintering showed that where there is no snow cover, rape overwintered very poorly. Rape should be sown in the volumes it was done last year,” he explained.

Anatoly Linevich also reported on the situation with the grain harvesting machinery fleet, “Today, 48 combines are idle for technical reasons, 13 of them of import manufacture. Deliveries of components are expected in the coming days, and these will be also put into operation.”

As for the purchase of fuel, according to the official, there are no problems in this part.