Belarus set to complete planting season by 1 May
MINSK, 26 April (BelTA) — Belarus plans to complete the sowing campaign before 1 May, Belarusian Agriculture and Food Minister Igor Brylo told the media, BelTA has learned.
“We have had good weather and warm temperatures in the country in recent days. We have begun to step up the pace of both the sowing campaign and other field work. As of today three regions, Brest Oblast, Grodno Oblast and Minsk Oblast, have almost finished planting. Vitebsk Oblast, Mogilev Oblast and Gomel Oblast are also on schedule. In general, we are planning to complete the sowing campaign by 1 May,” Igor Brylo said.
According to him, winter crops mortality is low this year compared with the previous period and makes up less than 2%. “At the same time the winter colza mortality level is 10% across the country. These are quite good figures. Thanks to additional fertilization and no long cold winter, the root system of plants has been well formed, so we expect a good yield of this crop. Besides, we are now planting potatoes, long-fibered flax, sugar beets and maize for grain and silage,” the minister said.
In his words, this year farmers are better prepared for the planting season, particularly from the technical point of view. “With the direct participation of the Industry Ministry and industrial enterprises we have been able to prepare machinery. We have accumulated more mineral, nitrogen and phosphate fertilizers and have enough fuel. We have a good supply of seeds — more than 140% of the need. All necessary decrees and legislative acts have been adopted at the level of the president and the government. We only have to fulfill what has been laid down in this base,” Igor Brylo added.
