As Vasily Sysoyev noted, regional development remains a key priority of state policy. The goal is to ensure that the standard of living in Minsk and the surrounding regions is comparable.
Economy and Investment
The meeting discussed the economic situation in the regions. Vasily Sysoyev cited figures: over the past five years, the gross regional product has grown in all regions — from 101.8% in the Vitebsk Region to 110.6% in the Brest Region. Major projects in recent years include the Belarusian Nuclear Power Plant, the Petrikov Mining and Processing Plant, and the modernization of Naftan and the Mozyr Oil Refinery. In 2025, 189 import-substitution projects worth 33.3 billion rubles were implemented in the regions.
The satellite towns program received special attention. Eight such towns will be developed between 2026 and 2030. In the Minsk region, these are Dzerzhinsk, Zaslavl, Logoisk, Smolevichi, Fanipol, and Rudensk.
Agriculture: Figures and New Approaches
Discussing agriculture, Vasily Vasilyevich noted a record grain harvest in 2025 — 9.1 million tons. Milk production increased by 5.3%, with the average milk yield per cow exceeding 6,000 kg. For comparison, in 2000, this figure was 2,154 kg. In the Brest region, the average yield was 8,240 kg, while in the Grodno and Minsk regions, it was 7,858 and 7,178 kg, respectively.
Speaking about the state of affairs in the Kopyl District, the First Deputy Chairman of the Minsk Regional Executive Committee emphasized that the district is confidently moving forward and is one of the leaders in the construction of new dairy farms. Specifically, a modern complex is being built at the Pioneer-Agro farm by decree of the President of the Republic of Belarus, scheduled for completion by January 1, 2027. There are ten such facilities in the region, eight of which are expected to be completed in the near future.
Vasily Sysoyev also noted the Kopyl region’s high production indicators. The district consistently ranks among the leading regions in the Minsk Region in grain, milk, and meat production. Gross agricultural output by the end of 2025 was approximately 103.7%. In terms of gross grain harvest, the Kopyl District annually exceeds 100,000 tons and remains a leader in the country.
«After all, milk means money,» Vasily Sysoyev emphasized.
The construction program for 111 calf shelters was highlighted. A facility in the Logoisk district, which has proven its effectiveness, was used as a model. The health centers will be built with feed kitchens equipped with hot water, milk pasteurizers, and even automatic bucket washers. In freezing temperatures, such conditions will help preserve young animals and make the work of calf shepherds easier.
«A human being is not a robot; it’s impossible to perform all the work properly at −30°C. We need to create normal conditions,» Vasily Vasilyevich noted.
Digitalization of the Agro-Industrial Complex
Speaking about the new five-year plan, Vasily Sysoyev spoke about the rural development program for 2026–2030, which was recently adopted at the regional level. One of the key areas is digitalization.
«By 2030, at least 40% of agricultural enterprises in the Minsk region must transition to digital farming methods,» he stated.
According to Vasily Sysoev, all fields will need to be digitized and electronic passports created to record the history: what variety was sown, what fertilizers were applied, and what the yield was. This is the foundation for precision farming.
He explained with figures: when cultivating, the operator, as usual, overlaps the previously cultivated area by about a meter to avoid errors. One hundred passes, and each field yields up to three hectares of land, cultivated twice. Digital automatic steering systems allow for a reduction in overlap to five centimeters. Fuel savings in just one field are 130 liters per operation.
«Multiply this by the number of fields on the farm, by the entire work cycle, and you’ll understand why we’re focusing on digitalization,» Vasily Sysoev explained.
Personal Question
At the end of the meeting, a local resident approached Vasily Sysoev asking for help with reassigning her son to the Kopyl region. The young man is graduating from an agricultural educational institution and has received a work permit in the Myadel District. The matter has been monitored.
Аўтар: Наталля Давыдзенка
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