Farming standards in Belarus should be brought to a highest level in 2012, President of the Republic of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko said on 3 May at a working meeting with Minsk Oblast Governor Boris Batura.

Top on the agenda was cleanup of populated areas and land management, including land improvement. “Individual regions and groups of regions look very good. The work is going on in Minsk District very slowly. We understand that there are a lot of challenges. Minsk has its impact, however, Minsk District should be brought into the perfect condition,” the head of state said. He noted that there are places where there is a lot to do.

“This year we should dramatically improve farming standards. Here and in the other oblasts; reclamation has changed land beyond recognition. However, I believe that we are advancing slowly. We need to hurry up reclamation specialists. We need to make everything clear and set clear tasks, determine the cost of works and step up land improvement. The bulk of the land should be returned to the economic use,” Alexander Lukashenko said.

The President noted that land clearance works are making little headway in Minsk Oblast and the country in general. The head of state also expressed concern that trees and other plants are uprooted along the roads.

“We would like to see personnel focused on concrete action rather than having to deal with different minor tasks. We need to encourage staff to do what is needed,” the President stressed.

The head of state also drew attention to the rational use of agricultural land so that fertile land should be used for its intended purpose, and only in exceptional cases allocated for the construction projects.

Besides, Alexander Lukashenko touched upon the issue of road construction, emphasizing the necessity to secure high quality of works. “Road builders are capable of taking any task, but control is needed. We need to build good-quality roads and take care of the money we invest,” the President said.

Boris Batura assured the head of state that close attention is attached to all these issues in Minsk Oblast. Land reclamation works are under constant control. “I think we will be able to cope with this task,” the Governor said.