Lukashenko: support will be rendered to those only who can maintain agricultural machinery

At today’s conference focusing on the harvesting campaign, the President of Belarus drew attention to safekeeping of agricultural machinery and its timely maintenance

“If normal keeping of equipment is not ensured, then they can expect no help from us,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. “The machinery – tractors and combine harvesters – is very expensive. Those who have no engine yard, no possibility to service this equipment, and 5-10 well-qualified machine operators should not even ask [for help] – up to criminal liability. We spend a lot of money, render assistance with equipment. Whole columns (if you remember, that was in times of Sherstnev) of tractors and other agricultural machinery were heading to the Vitebsk Region, but now they say there that they lack equipment.”

The President added that, based on an analysis, the energy saturation of agriculture in Belarus is higher than in Western Europe. “It is clear, that mostly private owners operate equipment there, and private owners treat machinery as their own – but, listen, not by a factor of two. Therefore, it is necessary to ensure safekeeping of equipment, and only in this case can you count on some kind of leasing loans. No one will bury money in the soil. We will help those who can work and who can produce a return. As regard machinery, we will support only those who will learn how to store this equipment,” he noted.