Opinions & Interviews

Lukashenko urges to address problem of droughts in Belarus

An archive photo

PINSK DISTRICT, 4 October (BelTA) – It is necessary to address the problem of droughts in Belarus, Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he met with residents of the agro-town of Parokhonsk, Pinsk District, on 4 October, BelTA has learned.

The head of state was asked about land reclamation. One of the local residents drew attention to a new problem of recent years - droughts. To tackle this problem, it is necessary to build additional hydraulic structures. Will the state be able to help with it?

“Yes, indeed. Sometimes I provide targeted help. But I believe we need large-scale programs. The president should map out large programs. Earlier we had to deal with excessive moisture, now droughts have become a problem for Belarus,” the president said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko said that he had already instructed specialists to come up with a plan to deal with the situation. “It is not right that Polesie has dried up. We have the Pripyat - a huge body of water, yet there is dry land all around. This is not right,” he noted.

The head of state noted that he is now personally experimenting with an irrigation system. The result is good so far, despite the sandy soils. “In other words, moisture is needed. Therefore, we will think how to provide support to you and especially to Gomel Oblast,” the Belarusian leader said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that Belarus has many rivers and lakes, yet there is not enough moisture in the fields. And in this regard, it is necessary to consider using irrigation systems. “We have so much water. Our water is very good. This is an asset today. Not oil or gas, but water. And its value will only increase in the future. We will think about it and make a decision,” he said.

The head of state is confident that the efforts to supply water to the fields will pay off by better harvests. This is particularly true for gardening.

“Therefore, we will provide some help, but the most important thing for us now is to restore all the drainage systems and fields across Belarus that you will not be able to restore on your own. You are doing a great job. You have a drainage team, equipment, you look after these canals. But it was not like that everywhere. We are trying to bring the drainage systems back to life,” said Aleksandr Lukashenko.

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