Heroes of Belarus. Power of Mikhail Karchmit’s talent

The Minsk Times project is dedicated to people awarded the highest Hero of Belarus title

Entering the agrotown of Snov in Nesvizh District, looking at the neat houses and yards, good roads, and perfect order, it is easy to imagine: ‘This is what the village of the future looks like, with the invisible presence of a strong hand of a master’. The agrotown thrives and expands as the centre of its attraction — the Agrokombinat Snov agricultural production co-operative — keeps developing. The agrocomplex is the major agro-industrial holding in Belarus, a flagship of the agricultural sector. It ensures record yields of grain crops and sugar beet, along with milk yields and meat gains that have become benchmarks for many agricultural enterprises. Every year, hundreds of farmers from Belarus and abroad come there to learn from the advanced experience of production organisation. Perhaps the secret to the success of the farm lies in the fact that it has always been fortunate with its leaders. The most renowned of those is Mikhail Karchmit, honoured as a Hero of Belarus.

Awards

• By Decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus No. 362 dated June 30th, 2001, Mikhail Karchmit was awarded the Hero of Belarus title for selfless work and exceptional contributions to the development of agricultural production   
• The Badge of Honour Order  
• Honoured Worker of Agriculture of the Republic of Belarus  
• State Prize of the Republic of Belarus in the field of natural sciences  
• Honorary citizen of the town of Nesvizh 

Agrokombinat Snov, Nesvizh District       Vitaly Pivovarchik 

 
Mikhail Karchmit (1949-2004)
He was born on February 1st, 1949 in the village of Radovtsy in Molodechno District of Minsk Region. After graduating from the Belarusian Institute of Agricultural Mechanisation, he worked in the engineering and technical service of the Leninsky Put collective farm in Nesvizh District. From 1980 to 1988, he was the chairman of the Rassvet collective farm, and from 1988 to 2004, he served as the chairman of the Agrokombinat Snov agricultural production co-operative (previously known as the Kalinin collective farm until 1994) in Nesvizh District of Minsk Region.  

Under the exemplary leadership of Mikhail Karchmit, Agrokombinat Snov became a source of pride for the Belarusian agro-industrial complex, serving as a benchmark for new, promising development in the national agricultural sector. The agrocomplex achieved production indicators on par with the best European agricultural enterprises, continues to hold leading positions in Belarus, and has repeatedly been a winner of republican, regional, and district competitions.
Mikhail Karchmit became the chairman of the Kalinin collective farm in 1988. He confidently took on the new position, although not without concerns over the agrocomplex’s future — he felt the heavy burden of responsibility. Karchmit’s engineering mindset immediately formulated the task for the initial stage, which involved modernising the production and introducing new machines and mechanisms. In a remarkably short time, as noted by Nikolai Radoman — the current head of Agrokombinat Snov — they managed to purchase 60 tractors, 10 MAZ trucks, four KamAZ trucks, and a bus. 
Karchmit’s associates and colleagues particularly highlighted his foresight. He had a clear vision of the farm’s future, at least over a five-year horizon. He knew what needed to be done for that future today, right now, because tomorrow would be too late.
Immediately after the arrival at Agrokombinat Snov, the new leader took charge of the livestock farms as well. Over 16 years that Mikhail Karchmit held the position of chairman of the board, they underwent deep reconstruction twice. However, no matter which sector or area you consider — be it a poultry farm, a pig complex, or a feed mill — Karchmit’s talent is evident everywhere. It was under his leadership that grain yields reached unprecedented heights — 80 to 90 centners per hectare. The processing of the agrocomplex’s own products became widely established. The current meat processing complex has grown from a small section; today, it employs hundreds of people and produces thousands of tonnes of products. 
Vladimir Bobr, who worked as the chief agronomist at the farm, recalled, “When Mikhail Karchmit joined the farm, there were over 17 million roubles on the accounts; in Soviet times, that was a huge sum! During the years of perestroika, this money did not lose its value during the redenomination and did not remain on the accounts as dead weight. Almost all of it was invested in machinery, equipment for livestock farming, and the reconstruction of the farms. When difficult times came to the country, many abandoned livestock farming due to its unprofitability. In contrast, we did not close a single farm. After all, that would mean leaving people without work, without a piece of bread.
Around the same time, there were stirrings regarding the land allocated to the farm, with some wanting to divide it up and make everyone farmers with plots of three to four hectares. It was then that Mikhail Karchmit took a firm stance, which he expressed at a general meeting: no land means no farm, and thus none of what had been created through collective efforts over many years. The people said ‘no’ to the division of the land and trusted their leader. Despite everything happening, the farm continued to develop; in 1991, a meat processing workshop was launched, and in 1995, a dairy processing facility was opened, while a network of branded retail was being established at the same time, and everything went its own way.”
Having extensive contacts at both regional and national levels, and the opportunity to consult, Karchmit took pride in the thoughtful team of the collective farm. He saw each of his associates as a highly qualified specialist. At any opportunity, he would emphasise, “We cannot be disjointed; we are one link, one core, one fist.”
“Mikhail Karchmit was very concerned about the fate of his farm and hundreds of others, as well as about the people of the village,” recalled Nikolai Radoman. “I believe the serious passions affected his health. Yet, despite everything, he did not allow the accumulated potential to be torn apart. Moreover, even during those years, we achieved an increase in production and maintained a decent wage for the workers of the farm.”
Of course, many now miss him. With his experience, knowledge, and character, he could have accomplished much more for the people.
Reality has confirmed: Karchmit was right placing emphasis on a large, multi-sector agricultural enterprise. After all, land is a natural resource that requires rational and careful management. Those who are loyal to their native land and their work continue to serve honestly, growing grain, educating children, building homes, treating the sick, upholding law and order, maintaining cleanliness, preserving national traditions, honouring history... All of this is for their Belarus.  

Memory

• A memorial plaque to Mikhail Karchmit is installed on the administrative building of the Agrokombinat Snov agricultural production co-operative;
• Karl Marx Street in the village of Snov, where the Hero of Belarus lived, was renamed Mikhail Karchmit Street;
• A documentary film titled The Leader has been made about the activities of Mikhail Aleksandrovich [Karchmit].

The flagship of the industry — the Agrokombinat Snov agricultural production co-operative in Nesvizh District — continues to impress with its achievements. The average daily weight gain of cattle has increased to 1,075 grammes, while the milk yield per cow will exceed 12,000 kilogrammes at year end. There are 2,900 dairy cows in the farm, plus young stock. Additionally, there is a pig complex and a poultry farm. This year, nearly 30,000 tonnes of grain from cereal crops were harvested there. The yield is impressive — 102.2 centners per hectare. It is also worth noting the successes in growing winter rapeseed. The average yield of this crop was nearly 60 centners per hectare.

Based on materials of sb.by, belta.by and Heroes of Belarus by Nikolai Machekin