Lukashenko on corn harvest: We can get another 2 million tonnes of grain

We are going to get a very good harvest of corn which can help the country compensate for a weaker grain harvest this year, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said during a government meeting held on 22 August to discuss issues related to Vitebsk Oblast development, BelTA has learned.

“If Vitebsk or other regions of our country do not have enough cereals and rapeseed, we still have corn to harvest. I have warned the deputy prime minister and the new agriculture minister that the hardest and most important stage is still ahead – it is to harvest corn, especially for grain. This year's corn harvest is great. I am sure that if we succeed in harvesting everything, we can get another two million tonnes of corn grain,” the Belarusian leader said.

However, he added that there was no need to chase the grain harvest figures, but approach the corn harvesting issue taking into account the local needs: “It is up to you to harvest corn for grain or silage. There is no need to harvest corn for the sake of getting grain only. If your get a good corn ear, then corn silage will be very good as well. This is true especially for Vitebsk Oblast. And for other regions as well.”