Lukashenko considers it reasonable to think over drought management system at state level

During today’s conversation with residents of the agro-town of Parokhonsk in the Pinsk District of the Brest Region, President of Belarus Aleksandr Lukashenko said he considers it reasonable to think over a drought management system at the state level

Answering the question whether the state can help the Brest Region in creating the appropriate infrastructure, Aleksandr Lukashenko replied, “The President must implement and define major programmes. Previously, we had a problem with waterlogging, while now Belarus is hit by the drought.”

According to him, this problem was recently discussed at one of the meetings, and the relevant specialists were tasked to think about its solution.

“It’s not good that Polesie has dried up. We have huge Pripyat River and dry land around. That’s not the way it should be,” the President noted.

Aleksandr Lukashenko said that he conducts various experiments with scientists at his homestead. There was also an experience of using a watering plant. Meanwhile, such an experience is likely to be too expensive on a national scale, though this does not negate the issue of finding a solution.

“We will think about how to support you and especially the Gomel Region,” the Belarusian leader promised.

The Head of State drew attention to the fact that our country is very rich in water resources, boasting many lakes and rivers. Perhaps it is worth looking at the experience of Tajikistan and other countries where water for the fields is taken from rivers. The President is confident that if water has to be supplied to some fields, then the harvest will pay for everything, especially, e.g., in gardening. 

“We have huge volumes of water. Our water is very good. This is already wealth today. Not oil and gas, but water. And further on its value will be even greater. Let’s think about it and see,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

At the same time, the President also pointed out the need for an economic approach to the use of floodplain lands, since their areas are quite large, “I would like we involve them into turnover, enabling us to get a big return.”

The Head of State noted that we should not forget about other tasks and summarised, “Therefore, we will help little by little, but the main thing for us now is to restore all land reclamation systems and fields in Belarus [this refers to the country as a whole]. You’re doing great. You have a reclamation unit, equipment, you are taking care of these channels. And it wasn’t like that everywhere. We are restoring all this and put everything in order to bring reclamation systems back to life.”