07.08.2012
Lukashenko: Export as much food as possible
MINSK, 7 August (BelTA) – It is necessary to export as much food as possible, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said at the telephone conference held on 7 August to discuss the year 2012 harvesting campaign.
“In addition to satisfying the domestic demand and reducing food import we have to maximize export potential, thus making the agribusiness economy stronger,” said Alexander Lukashenko.
According to the President, the present situation on the global food market is complicated. “International experts as well as the practice indicate that optimistic forecasts are out of the question. This year’s shortage of agricultural products is huge. A considerable decrease in the yield of cereals and other crops has been reported in neighboring countries and partners – in Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and other CIS states. A considerable shortfall of cereals is expected in the world’s main granary – the USA. Harvest prospects are as bad in many European countries,” stated Alexander Lukashenko.
The head of state is convinced that prices for agricultural products will rise in this situation. “The trend is getting visible now. Prices for many agricultural crops have been raised considerably,” said Alexander Lukashenko.
The President stressed that this year Belarus has grown a good harvest. “I’d say the yield of cereals and other crops is record high. Specialists believe we should get over 9 million tonnes of grain. Other crops look promising. It is inadmissible to lose the harvest. It should give bread to people and forage to cattle, which products (meat and milk) are the main source of income for virtually all the Belarusian agricultural enterprises and make up a large part of the country’s agricultural export”.
Alexander Lukashenko urged to keep up the grass forage harvesting rate. “Corn has been very handy in recent years. The harvest looks promising this year. But corn silage has low protein content. Grass forage should fix it. We have new harvesting technologies. They should be vigorously used,” remarked the head of state.
The President pointed out the need to properly store the harvest: “We have had a businesslike talk with governors regarding proper storage of cereals, potatoes, fruits and berries. No vegetable storage piles are allowed this year”.
Apart from that, the President pointed out that vehicles and machines should be put into storage in a timely manner. He instructed the Interior Ministry and the Agriculture and Food Ministry to keep an eye on that. “We have provided a lot of aid for the agriculture to buy agricultural machines. Therefore, we have the right to examine how they are used,” emphasized Alexander Lukashenko.
“In addition to satisfying the domestic demand and reducing food import we have to maximize export potential, thus making the agribusiness economy stronger,” said Alexander Lukashenko.
According to the President, the present situation on the global food market is complicated. “International experts as well as the practice indicate that optimistic forecasts are out of the question. This year’s shortage of agricultural products is huge. A considerable decrease in the yield of cereals and other crops has been reported in neighboring countries and partners – in Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, and other CIS states. A considerable shortfall of cereals is expected in the world’s main granary – the USA. Harvest prospects are as bad in many European countries,” stated Alexander Lukashenko.
The head of state is convinced that prices for agricultural products will rise in this situation. “The trend is getting visible now. Prices for many agricultural crops have been raised considerably,” said Alexander Lukashenko.
The President stressed that this year Belarus has grown a good harvest. “I’d say the yield of cereals and other crops is record high. Specialists believe we should get over 9 million tonnes of grain. Other crops look promising. It is inadmissible to lose the harvest. It should give bread to people and forage to cattle, which products (meat and milk) are the main source of income for virtually all the Belarusian agricultural enterprises and make up a large part of the country’s agricultural export”.
Alexander Lukashenko urged to keep up the grass forage harvesting rate. “Corn has been very handy in recent years. The harvest looks promising this year. But corn silage has low protein content. Grass forage should fix it. We have new harvesting technologies. They should be vigorously used,” remarked the head of state.
The President pointed out the need to properly store the harvest: “We have had a businesslike talk with governors regarding proper storage of cereals, potatoes, fruits and berries. No vegetable storage piles are allowed this year”.
Apart from that, the President pointed out that vehicles and machines should be put into storage in a timely manner. He instructed the Interior Ministry and the Agriculture and Food Ministry to keep an eye on that. “We have provided a lot of aid for the agriculture to buy agricultural machines. Therefore, we have the right to examine how they are used,” emphasized Alexander Lukashenko.