Belarusian agricultural enterprises are ready for the spring sowing campaign, BelTA learned from Belarusian Deputy Agriculture and Food Minister Vladimir Grakun.
According to the source, a comprehensive plan has been worked out. Production targets have been set. The structure of the areas under crops has been determined. The sowing campaign will begin once snow is fully melted and the soil is properly warmed. Southern parts of the country are usually the first to start sowing operations.
The official reminded that in 2018 Belarus intends to gather in 9 million tonnes of grain, with agricultural enterprises expected to collect 8.3 million tonnes. Agricultural companies and farmers are expected to produce about 5 million tonnes of sugar beet, 800,000 tonnes of colza oilseeds, 1.2 million tonnes of potatoes, 180,000 tonnes of flax straw, 629,000 tonnes of vegetables, 118,000 tonnes of fruits and berries.
As for winter crops, the Agriculture and Food Ministry believes their state is good. The state of colza is satisfactory. “No crops have been lost yet except for natural loss of at most 5%,” explained Vladimir Grakun.
This year's spring sowing campaign will cover 2.7 million ha of land. Additional fertilizing will be performed on an area of 1.7 million ha where winter crops have been sown.
Belarusian agricultural enterprises have 137% of the required amount of seeds for spring crops and leguminous crops. Seeds of spring wheat, barley (including brewer's varieties), oat, spring triticale, and potatoes are available in sufficient amounts.
According to Vladimir Grakun, the stock of mineral fertilizers of Belarusian agricultural enterprises is 19% above last year's.
About 40,000 tractors will be utilized as part of the spring sowing campaign. Their readiness rate varies from 92% to 96% depending on the region, repairs continue.
Written by belta.by
