Republic

Belarus offers Amur Oblast setting up meat and dairy cluster

MINSK, 13 August (BelTA) – Belarus offers Amur Oblast its assistance in the construction and use of a meat and dairy cluster, head of main department for foreign economic activity of the Agriculture and Food Ministry Alexei Bogdanov told BelTA after a visit of a joint delegation of the Agriculture and Food Ministry and the Industry Ministry of Belarus to Amur Oblast and Khabarovsk Krai.

According to Alexei Bogdanov, the meat and dairy cluster will comprise a commercial dairy farm, a pig complex, a feed-milling plant, farmland and processing companies. The Amur Oblast authorities have been vigorously advancing the idea of setting up state companies in the economic sectors which are of little interest to the private business. This includes farm production as well. “We have one state company that is engaged in beef farming. It is not enough however. We have suggested setting up meat and dairy farms and processing companies in the oblast. We are ready to provide assistance in designing, building, equipping and using such facilities. The project on a commercial dairy farm for 1,200 head with the use of Belarusian component parts has been sent to the Agriculture Ministry of Amur Oblast for consideration,” the representative of the Belarusian ministry said.

Belarus’ main agricultural exports to Amur Oblast include milk powder, full cream powder and meat. “Over the first five months of 2014 the exports grew 20%. We will be able to increase them after establishing the supplies of dairy products, cheeses, sausages and specialty foods,” Alexei Bogdanov said.

As for Khabarovsk Krai, Belarus is ready to provide assistance to this region in the construction of a commercial dairy farm. Specialists have been already studying a project offered by Russian counterparts. In particular, they are ready to offer an option to make it cheaper. “Belarus has a rich experience in building such facilities at a smaller cost. Our specialists can build such a farm a half-price,” Alexei Bogdanov said.

The farm will be equipped with robotic devices and milking parlors of the Belarusian manufacture. “The Russian side is ready to support the variant. Thus, once the corresponding decision is taken, we start implementing the project. The site has been allocated. We have support from the government and the corresponding funds,” the official said.

Issues related to the supplies of Belarusian food products have been discussed with the authorities of Khabarovsk Krai. The parties are considering two variants. They are the development of a commodity distribution network by one of the domestic companies in the region and the opening of a wide network of chain stores selling Belarusian food products.