In 2011 Belarus’ gross grain harvest is expected to exceed last year’s yield, Agriculture and Food Minister Mikhail Rusyi told reporters on 15 July, BelTA has learned.

On 15 July Smolevichi plays host to a plenary session of the nationwide workshop on the transition to a new resource-efficient system of farming and fodder conservation and on the preparedness for the harvesting campaign. This year’s harvesting strategy will be top on the agenda of the session.

Mikhail Rusyi has not specified this year’s harvesting targets. “Preliminary calculation is a thankless occupation. When all crops are harvested and weighed then we will tell you. According to the data we have today, we are set to surpass the previous year’s yield, corn not included,” he said.

Mikhail Rusyi said that in general the regions are ready for the harvesting season. “Practically all oblasts have started harvesting rape crops. Southern regions are on the way to complete thrashing winter barley. Grain drying facilities are also ready for the harvesting campaign. We have looked into the issues of provision of agricultural companies with fuel and readiness of farm equipment for the harvesting season. This year 380 new harvesters will be involved in the harvesting campaign,” Mikhail Rusyi said.

The bakery department is also ready to fulfill the government’s procurement order. “We can take from 90,000 to 100,000 of grain of any moisture per day,” Mikhail Rusyi added.

According to the minister, this year farmers expect the grain yield to exceed 30 centner per hectare.

The workshop will also focus on new approaches, concepts and tactics of the harvesting campaign. The workshop participants will examine adaptive farming systems for every region and consider the strategies for fodder conservation, farming and harvesting for the next five years.

Belta