In the third Sunday of November, Belarus honors people whose important work ensures the country's food security. On the eve of the Day of Workers in Agriculture and Processing Industry, we met with Maxim Bolshakov, the head of the department of agriculture and food of the district executive committee, to discuss the main results of the agricultural year, the financial performance of farms, and the personnel potential of the industry.

• Maxim Sergeyevich, how do you assess the overall contribution of our district's workers to the country's food security?
• Over nine months, agricultural products worth 66.5 million rubles have been produced, which is 100.3% of the level of the previous year. The production of gross output is higher than 100% at the Chemerissky and Zhukov enterprises. This is the result of the coordinated work of all links in our agricultural complex.
• Animal husbandry is called the locomotive of the agricultural industry. What indicators are encouraging?
• The number of cattle as of October 1 was 21,016 head. Over nine months, 5,290 head of young cattle were obtained (104.7% of the level of 2025). 2,016.3 tons of cattle products were obtained, which is 131% of the previous year, or an increase of 477.3 tons. The leaders were the Peramozhnik (125.4%), Braginka (102.8%), and Zhukov (100.2%) enterprises.

The average daily weight gain in the district also increased: it was 503 grams, which is 165 grams more than the previous year's indicator. The animal breeders of the Peramozhnik (592 grams) and Zhukov (536 grams) enterprises worked above the district average. 1,770.1 tons of cattle were sold, with 87% of the cattle being delivered to the region's meat processing plants.

• And how are things in the dairy industry? Is it possible to maintain the quality standards?
• Since the beginning of the year, 18,149.4 tons of milk have been produced (98.1% of the previous year). The milk yield per cow was 2,864 kg. 16,180.9 tons of milk were sold (98.6%) with a commodity output of 89.2%. I would especially like to note the quality of the products: 65.2% of the total volume sold was of extra and highest grade.
• What results have been achieved in crop production, and will there be enough feed for the successful wintering of cattle?
• Thanks to the skill and dedication of our agricultural workers, 37,598 tons of grain have been harvested in the district, including rapeseed and corn.

The provision of feed for the winter-stable period is 34,424 tons of feed units, or 22 centners of feed units per one conventional head. This will allow us to calmly carry out the wintering.

• Let's look at the financial side. What economic picture do the farms approach the end of the year with?

The revenue from the sale of products for January-August amounted to 36,634 thousand rubles (95.8% of the 2025 level), including 45.1 thousand rubles per employee. The district's households received a net profit of 2.8 million rubles. In particular, OAO Bрагинка received 139 thousand rubles.

Behind each of these figures are people. Please tell us about the personnel potential of the industry.

In the district's agricultural enterprises, 809 people are employed, with a staffing level of 86%. It is pleasing that young people are also working in the industry: 81 specialists under the age of 35. They are sharing their experience with 46 employees of retirement age. This year, three promising specialists, including the director of OAO Чемерисский, Andrey Yatchenko, underwent training at the school for young leaders under the oblispolkom.

The average monthly salary in the district's agricultural enterprises reached 1,842.4 rubles, an increase of 12.2% compared to last year.

What are your wishes to the rural workers on the eve of their professional holiday?

The work of agrarians has never been easy, it requires complete dedication, patience, and genuine love for the native land. I thank them for their loyalty to their chosen profession, for every harvested centner of grain and every liter of milk, for their invaluable contribution to the food security of our country.

Interviewed by Irina Stychinskaya