Agriculture of Belarus: features of development

Agriculture of Belarus plays an important role in the country's economy. This industry is expanding every year and gaining momentum. In agriculture, about 10% of the total population of the country is involved.

Features of industry structuring

There are no lands in Belarus in private ownership. All agriculture is based on the work of state farms and collective farms. Such a system lasts from the time of the existence of the USSR. Despite the sufficient age of the structure, it brings good results. The country practically does not buy basic vegetables and grains in other countries.

The inhabitants of Belarus are fully provided with their own meat and milk. Almost all the products remain in the country, and only a small part goes for imports. In agriculture, the government invests considerable money. This is done for its development and prosperity. Finance is spent on the purchase of new equipment and equipment.

In 2005, a program on rural development and its revival was launched. The state allocates subsidies, which should go to the arrangement of territories and the involvement of young people in them. In the settlements, kindergartens are being built up, the educational base in schools improves, new jobs are being opened. Thus, new young cadres are attracted to the village and the industry is developing.

Moderate climate gives an opportunity to grow plants and breed animals throughout the country. Breeding of berries and fruits prevails in the southern parts.

Crop production

The agriculture of the Republic of Belarus is aimed at cultivating crops that are specific for the latitudes of the country. The territory for plowing occupies more than 8.5 million hectares. The advantage is given to the cultivation of grain crops and vegetables.

In recent years, the government of the country has actively promoted the cultivation of pancake and legume plant species. The agriculture of Belarus is famous in Europe for the cultivation of flax. About 20% of the world's crops are concentrated in this country.

Yet the most popular is the cultivation of cereals:

• rye;
• wheat;
• barley;
• corn;
• Oats.

A new variety of triticale is actively grown in the country. This culture combines rye and wheat. Triticale is more used as forage. Agriculture of Belarus ranks second in the world in growing this variety of cereals.

The country pays much attention to the development of vegetable growing. The inhabitants of Belarus are fully provided with their potatoes. The harvest annually increases throughout the country. Potatoes often go for imports.

Production of meat

Growing of cattle remains in the priority of the country's economy. Unlike other post-Soviet states, the number of livestock in Belarus increases by 5-10% every year. Thus, the inhabitants of the country are fully provided with meat products of good quality.

Most meat products on store shelves are made from natural raw materials of own production. This type of industry is provided with 100% own products.

The country gives priority to the trade of goods of its production, and this is controlled at the state level. Only a small part of meat products is imported from other countries. In general, these are specific types of meat peculiar to the countries where it is produced.

Dairy production and beekeeping

The Ministry of Agriculture of Belarus places special emphasis on the cultivation of cattle for milk production. The country is provided with this product 100% from its own production.

Also in the country, milk is purchased from the private population. Thus, the state supports the breeding of cows by the population in the villages. Milk processing plants use the dry ingredient only in exceptional cases.

Beekeeping is mostly handled by private individuals. In connection with the program in the country for the development of villages, this sector of agriculture is engaged in many small farmers. Honey produced in Belarus is in great demand in other countries.

Problems of agricultural development in Belarus

Despite the rapid pace of productivity improvements, there are problems in this industry that are hampering this process. First of all, this is a shortage in the material base of farms. The authorities are making substantial investments in the development of agriculture, but given that all equipment is obsolete, this money is not enough.

Some agrarians argue that a significant hindrance to the rapid economic growth of the industry is the absence of land in private ownership. Individual farmers, in their opinion, could quickly develop their farms and equipment purchased at their own expense.

Since 2013, the level of development of collective farms is rapidly declining. The state allocated about $ 40 billion to support and develop the industry in 2011. This amount greatly facilitated the life of the farms, but could not fully compensate for the losses. In 2017, the minimum amount was allocated for the development of the industry.