Opinions & Interviews

Lukashenko: Grain is just as valuable as gold and oil

MINSK, 22 March (BelTA) – This year planting is more important for Belarus than ever, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said at the meeting to discuss spring field work, BelTA has learned.

“Planting has never been more important for Belarus than this year. Our field work will proceed against the backdrop of a hot conflict near our southern border,” the president said. It is taking amidst the huge pressure on Russia, our major sales market  and our main ally, the supplier of raw materials, as well as an unprecedented increase in global prices for hydrocarbons, fertilizers and food. In addition, dry weather has set in, the president added.

“Today grain is practically new gold or oil. It might even become more expensive. Since one of the world’s main suppliers - Ukraine - is unlikely to be able to conduct a full-fledged sowing campaign, prices will continue to rise. The UN no longer predicts, but expects famine in the poorest countries of the planet,” Aleksandr Lukashenko noted.

Belarus’ own food security is a priority now, the president stressed. “We must provide the Belarusian people with everything they need. We will provide our own people with domestic products. It is also important to create stabilization funds. Belarus has absolutely everything for this: arable land, domestic fertilizers, seeds, agricultural machinery (we do not just have it, we produce it), modern processing plants with great technology and competencies,” the Belarusian leader said.

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