Lukashenko sets key task for agricultural industry

MINSK, 26 July – The agricultural output in 2022 should not be smaller than that in 2021, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at a conference to discuss progress in the harvest campaign on 26 July, has learned.

“The prime minister, the agriculture minister and the governors bear a personal responsibility for that,” the Belarusian leader warned.

Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that the first half of the year saw a slight decline in agricultural output. “This is not okay. I could understand such a situation in the manufacturing industry. Sanctions have been introduced, supply chains have been disrupted, it is difficult to make payments, and so on. What prevents agriculture from working? The agricultural sector has been lucky with the weather this year. What prevents it from working and maintaining last year's momentum? Nothing except for issues related to discipline and order, observance of technological discipline. The agricultural output should be at least as big as last year's,” the Belarusian leader stressed.

“The minister said that the sector would grow by almost 4% this year. Well, a deal. We have heard it. We should no way underperform when it comes to agriculture. There are no objective reasons for failure. We will help you with fuel and with loans so that you will be able to buy grain and other products from peasants. Here is a task for you: you should do whatever it takes to deliver on your promise. If you grow by another 4%, well, you'll be just fine. This is the main task,” Aleksandr Lukashenko added.