Agriculture is a strategically important sector of the Minsk Region economy. To find out about the plans, prospects and current situation in agriculture, we contacted Vasily Sysoyev, First Deputy Chairman of the Minsk Regional Executive Committee.
Increasing milk and meat production in Minsk Region is a priority task that directly depends on the conditions for keeping cattle. This task is being accomplished by commissioning new livestock facilities. This work was carried out in 2024 and continued in 2025.
As the First Deputy noted, the volumes of agricultural production directly correlate with the conditions of livestock maintenance. In connection with this, a clear strategy of action was developed in the Minsk Region, which was approved by the Head of State.
The program is designed until 2030 and is aimed at moving away from tethered livestock. At the moment, only 28% of the milking herd is kept in such conditions, and it is necessary to transfer about 80 thousand heads to modern complexes.
Last year, 16 modern dairy complexes were commissioned in the region. Also, a reserve was laid for the construction of new facilities in 2025 and subsequent years.
According to Vasily Sysoev, the region faces the task of annually commissioning at least 20 dairy complexes. Since the beginning of this year, 6 such complexes have already been put into operation, which allows for an additional production of about 400 tons of milk.
In March of this year, the growth rate of milk sales was 106.3% compared to last year. The First Deputy also noted that all new complexes are expected to achieve a milk yield of 7,000 liters of milk per cow.
Integration of artificial intelligence in agriculture
One of the key areas of development of the industry is the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in agriculture. In the Russian Federation, namely in the Republic of Tatarstan, under the auspices of MTS, digitalization of dairy complexes is actively carried out using modern technologies.
— Many of our enterprises have already expressed interest in this, the First Deputy noted. — This direction is in trend today, and it is the future of agriculture.
The main goal of digitalization is to minimize the human factor where possible. For example, one of the serious problems on farms is the treatment of lameness in animals. Previously, this required a specialist who had to monitor the condition of each animal both during milking and after it.
With the introduction of cameras and AI, this process can be automated. Artificial intelligence will analyze the behavior of animals and identify deviations in their movements. If a violation is noticed, for example, lameness, the system will automatically notify the veterinarian about the need for intervention.
Such experience is already being successfully implemented in Tatarstan.
— We have many developments in the field of animal husbandry, and we want to study their experience. We will discuss the possibilities of introducing these technologies here, — emphasized Vasily Sysoev. — Therefore, artificial intelligence on farms of the Minsk region will be!
In addition, the introduction of AI is also planned in crop growing. In honor of the 80th anniversary of the Victory, Gomselmash produced 80 modern high-performance combines for enterprises in the Minsk region. These machines are equipped with precision farming systems, which significantly increases productivity and reduces costs.
We only purchase equipment with precision farming systems, the First Deputy noted. Our tractors are already equipped with an automatic driving function, which allows machine operators to turn on the program without having to intervene in the process.
The situation with the sowing campaign
Today, the situation is quite favorable. First of all, this is due to the fact that the moisture that came to the region in the midst of spring has become a real gift for rural workers. In conditions when resources are becoming increasingly valuable, moisture is perceived as a free investment that cannot be measured even in millions.
According to the first deputy chairman of the Minsk Regional Executive Committee Vasily Sysoyev, work in the fields is already actively underway:
— We were the first in the republic to complete the sowing of grain crops. Today we began active sowing of corn and sugar beets. The deadlines are clearly set: by May 1, it is necessary to complete the sowing of beets, and by May 15 — the main sowing of corn.
To achieve the set goals, the region has developed detailed schedules for each farm. The working day for rural workers begins at 5-6 am so that machine operators can go to the fields as quickly as possible and start sowing.
Particular emphasis is placed on corn, with plans to sow it up by 15% compared to last year.
Written by belta.by
