Belarus’ agriculture should become self-sufficient

MINSK, 25 February (BelTA) – The agriculture in Belarus should become self-sufficient, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said at a meeting with new government members and reappointed officials on 25 February. In his words, the country has made a great progress during the implementation of the State Rural Revival and Development Program, but not all the objectives have been achieved. Many issues remain unsolved, especially those pertaining to the sector’s efficiency. “The agriculture has not become self-sufficient, to say nothing of self-financing. The agricultural companies should improve the quality of goods, and tap new markets,” Alexander Lukashenko believes. The President believes that the newly appointed Deputy Prime Minister Valery Ivanov and Agriculture Minister Mikhail Rusy are the right persons to secure the sustainable growth of agriculture in te years to come. By 2015 the revenues of the agricultural complex should more than double, sales profits should step 9 times up with profit margin no less than 11%. The export of agricultural products is planned to increase up to $7 billion. Alexander Lukashenko is confident that the government should take the advantage of the current situation on the food market.

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