President proposes updating mineral fertilizer supply scheme for agriculture

Speaking about state policy in the agricultural sector, the President assured that support for rural residents would continue — the issue being strict control over the mechanism and volume of such support. "The government forms monthly procurement schedules for fertilizers by region and determines funding sources. These are republican and local budgets, own funds of agricultural enterprises, and preferential credit resources," the Head of State noted.

The Head of State noted that the overall situation in the country is normal. "As of August 1, 92% of mineral fertilizer quotas have been utilized. Over 90% is a good level of mineral fertilizer uptake. At the same time, individual regions do not fully purchase their quotas throughout the year. Only half of the regions have fully utilized their nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer quotas for winter sowing. What is the reason, if there is raw material, as you claim, and funding sources are defined?" Alexander Lukashenko asked.

In this regard, he pointed to a dead-end situation facing fertilizer producers. They are holding unused quotas in warehouses and not receiving planned revenue. "The product is idle. It hasn't been taken for the domestic market, nor can it be sold abroad. As I said earlier, in the current global situation, enterprises could confidently sell (fertilizers) on the foreign market, and at higher prices," the Head of State stated.