Lukashenko: it’s necessary to develop 10-year pig breeding development strategy

It’s necessary to develop a 10-year strategy for the development of ultra-modern pig breeding in Belarus – as stated by President Aleksandr Lukashenko during today’s meeting focusing on rural development and increasing agricultural efficiency

photo: www.president.gov.by

“Despite the progress in pig production (a growth of 4.5 percent), we failed to stabilise the situation with loss of cattle... The most difficult situation has developed in the Mogilev, Brest and Grodno regions. Facts of non-compliance with the requirements of veterinary rules for feeding and keeping pigs were established at every third pig-breeding facility,” noted the Head of State.

According to the President, a decrease in average daily weight gain is observed across 26 districts. With an average daily gain in the country reaching 660 grams, some do not have even half of this (e.g., 270 grams in the Senno District and 300 grams in the Vetka District),” Aleksandr Lukashenko noted.

“Amid such work, pork imports in 2023 made up $180.4m; over the past period of this year, we have already purchased $26.8m of pork. The reasons are still the same: lack of complete feed, inadequate care, and untimely vaccination,” the President underlined.

“Last year, we decided to build new modernised pig farms. I supported the Government’s proposals to build pig-breeding complexes in line with a unified project for 100,000 pigs. They assured me there are opportunities to build on time and optimise costs. However, it’s necessary to think about the future. Taking into account the practice of our Russian neighbours, it is necessary to calculate and set a course for more efficient, cost-effective large-scale projects,” Aleksandr Lukashenko added.

“We must work for the future. It is necessary to develop a 10-year strategy for the development of ultra-modern pig breeding in Belarus, envisaging everything: progressive genetics, feed, and environmental friendliness. The goals are super-scale: maximum deepening of processing and our export expansion,” summed up the Belarusian leader.