Belarusian farmers intend to harvest about 1 million tons of potatoes in 2017, Tatiana Karbanovich, Deputy Head of the Central Office for Crop Farming, Head of the Fruit and Vegetables Department at the Belarusian Agriculture and Food Ministry, reported.
According to the source, Belarusian agricultural companies and individual farmers are expected to gather in about 1 million tons of potatoes, which will be slightly less than last year. Nevertheless, the retail industry and the public catering industry will be fully supplied with potatoes. There will also be enough potatoes to keep in between seasons. There are plans to start gathering in potatoes in Belarus in September. Due to unfavorable weather this year potatoes have been planted two weeks later than last year. Low temperatures at night prolonged the vegetation period. At the same time the experience of Belarusian farmers allows growing high-quality potatoes, which will be in demand in Belarus and abroad.
“Our agronomists will keep the harvest safe in spring conditions. Additional protective measures are being taken,” noted the Agriculture and Food Ministry representative.
Belarusian farmers are also expected to harvest 528,000 tons of vegetables from the open fields and greenhouses. Beets, cabbages, carrots, and onions account for about 65% of the areas under vegetables in Belarusian agricultural companies. In the last few years farmers have been able to grow warm-weather crops due to climate change. The number includes eggplants, peppers, asparagus beans, watermelons, and muskmelons. This year Belarusian farmers have over 50 ha of fields under gourds.
“Specific crop varieties have been selected and the relevant technologies are used in order to get a good harvest. We hope that this year we will taste Belarus-grown watermelons,” added Tatiana Karbanovich. (BelTA/Business World Magazine)