Why did Lukashenko threaten to ‘lay off’ Government and governors?
Increased productivity in livestock farming should be also ensured through systematic selection and breeding work – as noted today by President Aleksandr Lukashenko at the plenary session of the nationwide seminar dedicated to the development of animal husbandry in the country
The Head of State noted, “The issue of herd reproduction is pressing. Increased productivity in livestock breeding should be also ensured through systematic selection and breeding work. Scientists believe that effective reproduction can occur at the birth of 95 calves per 100 cows. In 1990s, this figure in Belarus was at the level of 90 calves while in recent years we have only received 72-75. And we can’t save even these, so the livestock population is declining. I don’t know what the governors lack. Reproduction technologies? A whole network of breeding services has been created in the country under the patronage of the Agriculture and Food Ministry.”
The President instructed Agriculture and Food Minister Sergei Bartosh to develop and implement effective and affordable technology in co-operation with the Academy of Sciences, “Increase the breeding herd. The built and reconstructed farms remain underequipped with livestock till present day. Some of the facilities have been underequipped for more than five years. According to the State Control Committee, almost 16,000 cattle stalls are underequipped. Why were they built? It is the personal responsibility of the Minister, the Government and the governors to equip the farms and ensure the growth of the dairy herd by the end of this year. If you don’t do this, I promise you that I will lay off your entire staff. I have enough determination. I have never played with you and I won’t ever do it no matter what election campaigns we face. Otherwise, we will bury the country, coming to the point when instead of $8bn of exports we will have nothing to feed our people with.”
