MINSK, Oct 18 (BelTA) — Agriculture is an engine of economic growth, Deputy Economy Minister Dmitry Yaroshevich said in an interview with Belarus 1 television’s Panorama programme, BelTA reports.
“Agriculture is the sector that will push us towards positive results. In January-September, the sector grew by 4. 9%. This was due to a higher yield of almost all crops: cereals and legumes, sugar beet and other vegetables. Cereal productivity (excluding maize) is almost 19% higher this year. It is vital that we have almost finished the formation of the stabilization budget that we will use out of season,” said Dmitry Yaroshevich.
According to him, the expansion has also been registered through joint-stock companies attached to the Ministry of Industry. The expansionary trend is expected to continue. The Belarusian food industry Belgospishcheprom has returned to its performance: in January-August, companies affiliated with the company recorded a decline, however, the trend has been reversed and now an expansion of 2% is forecast,” the deputy minister noted.
“The Ministry of Industry and Belgospishcheprom give us optimism, while agriculture gives us confidence, because we solve food security problems,” Dmitry Yaroshevich said.