GOMEL, 6 August (BelTA) – Belarus can become a platform for sharing the best practices with young Russian agrarians. The opinion was voiced by Vladimir Zavolokin, who teaches veterinary disciplines in the Volokolamsk-based agrarian vocational school Kholmogorka (Moscow Oblast), BelTA has learned. Together with a student summer work team Vladimir Zavolokin visited the enterprise Otor, Chechersk District, Gomel Oblast on 6 August for the sake of sharing the best practices.
According to the professor, the event, during which vocational school students will be able to get some hands-on experience under the tutelage of qualified specialists, is of colossal importance. “Unfortunately, in our oblast there are virtually no agricultural enterprises where future agrarians can acquire practical skills and brush up on the theoretical knowledge they get in the vocational school. This is why we suggest bringing a team of students to Otor Company next year as well but for a lengthier period of time — two months — for the sake of on-the-job training. By doing so we can make the enterprise kind of a platform for sharing the best practices,” said the professor. In turn, the Russian side has invited a delegation from Chechersk to visit Volokolamsk in September in order to get more intimately familiar with the culture and traditions and establish tighter ties with the friendly region.
Apart from that, Vladimir Zavolokin spoke in glowing terms about development levels of the agricultural enterprise Otor and Belarus’ agrarian policy on the whole. “In my line of work I’ve been to many regions of Russia but it is my first visit to your country. The first thing that impressed me in Belarus was sown fields and well-tended lands. It is noticeable that agriculture is on the rise in Belarus. We have something to learn from you in that regard,” said the professor.
Vladimir Zavolokin also spoke about OAO Otor’s experience of creating a forage base. “A higher turnout of all kinds of animal husbandry products depends on the state of the forage base among other things. The stronger the forage base is, the more confidence there is in the proper operation of the animal husbandry industry. The enterprise has achieved a lot in that regard,” said the professor.
The agreement on cooperation in social and cultural affairs was signed between Chechersk District and Volokolamsk District in 2007. Upon the initiative of the Russian side this year efforts have been exercised to set up the first young farmers summer work team Wings of Friendship. The team comprises agrarian students, who have arrived at one of the most advanced agricultural enterprises of Gomel Oblast to share the best practices. The Russian vocational school students will get on-the-job training for one week.
The public joint-stock company (OAO) Otor is a rapidly developing agribusiness enterprise. The enterprise has over 5,000ha of agricultural lands, including 3,300ha of tilled fields. The enterprise also has 5,500 head of cattle. The enterprise specializes in growing cereals, leguminous crops, forage crops, and making milk and meat products.