Belarus creates favorable conditions for agriculture, Sergei Sidorsky says

“We do our best to maintain the development of large scale production in Belarus,” stressed Sergei Sidorsky.

Belarus is doing a lot for the agricultural development, according to the Prime Minister. “We have introduced market relations into the agriculture over the last ten years. And we have laid stress on the large scale manufacturers,” he said. Sergei Sidorsky also said that Belarus is implementing a number of national programs on the development of agriculture.

Sergei Sidorsky praised that fact that in 2009 Belarus produced more than ten million tonnes of grain. “We have ensured the economic security of the country. Two years ago we started exporting grain and ceased the import of hard grain,” said the Prime Minister.

Speaking on vegetable farming, Sergei Sidorsky said that Belarus increased the sugar beet production up to four million tonnes. Four major sugar plants are operating, and one more sugar plant is being constructed.

“We have solved the problem of rape production and started producing rapeseed biological fuel,” said Sergei Sidorsky.

On the whole, the profitability of Belarusian agriculture is 8%-9%, which is rather a good figure. In 2009 Belarus exported about $2 billion worth of agricultural goods.

Sergei Sidorsky paid special attention to the demographic problems of the rural area. Its population is getting older, that is why it is important to get the youth involved in the development of agriculture. But young people are interested in comfortable living conditions. Belarus has built about 1, 500 agrotowns with complete infrastructure. Some 9, 000 houses are constructed annually. All these steps are expected to enhance the attractiveness of living in the rural area.

When addressing to the Agriculture ministers of Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland, Sergei Sidorsky said that the bilateral contacts are very important for the development of trade and economic relations and the exchange of technologies and experience. The personal relations play a significant part too. It is good when you can call your counterpart and solve the problem without long paperwork, the Belarusian Prime Minister believes.

“Belarus is interested in promoting goods to your markets,” said Sergei Sidorsky. He invited the Latvian, Lithuanian and Polish manufacturers to Belarus, taking into account the prospects of the Customs Union of Belarus, Russia, and Kazakhstan.