The earth always rewards those who work it with dedication and passion. The Kruglinsky district is a land of abundance. Ahead of the Day of Agricultural Workers and the Agro-Industrial Complex's Processing Industry, "SZ" correspondents interviewed a man who knows the value of peasant bread not from textbooks, but from his own life experience: Mikhail Gulym, First Deputy Chairman and Head of the Department of Agriculture and Food at the Kruglinsky District Executive Committee.

• Mr. Mikhail, what results do the district's farmers celebrate on their professional holiday?

– The Kruglinsky district is unique: more than half of all residents employed in the economy work in the agro-industrial complex. It’s encouraging to see that this year has brought steady progress in both crop and livestock farming. All agricultural organizations in the district operated at a profit. Revenue from product sales reached 48.9 million rubles, a 55% increase compared to last year. Net profit grew by 1.2 times, totaling 17.1 million rubles. Behind these figures lies the immense daily effort of our teams and their significant contribution to Belarus’s food security and export potential.

• What have the fields of Kruglinsky district brought us this year?

– This year, the district’s total grain harvest reached 40.8 thousand tons. The season’s highlight was a record-breaking rapeseed harvest. This crop has proven its high economic value, so we didn’t stop at our achievements and already expanded the areas sown with winter rapeseed for next year’s harvest. Feed producers also delivered strong results: the district’s granaries hold 40.3 thousand tons of feed, two feed units more than last year, with noticeably higher quality—crucial for a successful winter.

• How did our livestock farmers perform?

– Here, too, we’re seeing solid progress: milk and meat production volumes increased, and the number of offspring grew. Over nine months, the district produced 24.7 thousand tons of milk, 103% of last year’s figure. On average, each cow produced 3,186 kilograms during this period. We’re also pleased with the weight gain of cattle—578 grams per day, an increase of 76 grams compared to last year. The key now is to maintain this pace, care for the herd, and strictly adhere to technology and production discipline.

• How is the material base of our farms being renewed? """

""" We are actively expanding our machinery and tractor fleet. Recently, a new Amkodor loader and tractors were added to the fleet of KSUPI Kruglyansky-Agro, and specialized livestock equipment is being purchased. Meanwhile, major construction projects are underway on the farms. We have already built three new calf prophylactoriums: two in Kruglyansky-Agro (in Rakushevo and Nekrasovo) and one in Kruglyansky Rassvet (in Novoprudye). Construction is also underway for two modern dairy complexes near the villages of Shupen and Kazimirovka, and a livestock fattening complex is being built at ZAO ASB-Agro Tetarino.

But even the most advanced technology is useless without skilled human hands. Which of the district’s workers would you like to specially honor during these festive days?

There are true professionals working in the fields, farms, and workshops, and each of them deserves the warmest words. At OAO Kruglyansky Rassvet, these are livestock complex operator Zoya Petrova and tractor operator Alexander Metelitsa; at Kruglyansky Iskra, livestock farmer Inna Konovalova and mechanic Anatoly Kononov. At Kruglyansky-Agro, mechanic Denis Shurbenkov and dairy machine operator Olga Lebedeva (in Mikheykovo) serve as examples for their colleagues; at ASB-Agro Tetarino, head of the Glubokoe complex Elena Shestakova and operator Galina Dunayeva are notable. It is also impossible not to mention tractor driver Vladimir Pogodin of Kruglyansky Agropromtehsnab, as well as zootechnician-breeder Oksana Isachenko of the district breeding station and many others. It is on such people that our land depends.

Mikhail Vladimirovich, you have devoted your entire life to the agricultural sector. What is the most difficult aspect of this work for you personally?

I was born into a large family; my parents worked in agriculture from morning to evening. After graduating from BGSHA, I went through all the stages of career growth, so I know this job from the inside. Agriculture is an industry under the open sky; there are no ready-made templates or easy years here. Every season is stressful in its own way. But when you see a real result and the full dedication of people, any fatigue goes away, and the soul becomes light. Our agrarians are not used to complaining—they simply go to the field or to the farm and do their job. Villagers live with their souls, and it is a real happiness to work shoulder to shoulder with such open and sincere people.

What would you wish to the district’s workers on the eve of the holiday? """

""" I would like to wish everyone good health, family warmth, and prosperity. Our President, Alexander Lukashenko, once said that it is better to work peacefully in the field than to fight. So, my main wish is for a peaceful sky above our heads. And, of course, I extend a deep gratitude to our respected industry veterans for their wisdom, resilience, and the strong foundation upon which we are building the future of our beloved Kruglyan region today. """