MOZYR DISTRICT, 24 April (BelTA) – Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko has drawn attention to ensuring the safeguarding of mineral fertilizers during a workshop on agricultural service maintenance, organization of repairs and restoration of agricultural machinery on 24 April, BelTA has learned.
“I want to warn the governors once again [about the safeguarding of mineral fertilizers], so that we do not have unpleasant conversations with you later,” the head of state said.
The president noted that the State Control Committee reports to him about the existing serious problems related to ensuring the safety of fertilizers. “Guys, you are literally one step away from prison. I have given you the economic reasoning behind this. Today, prices on international markets are enormous, especially for nitrogen fertilizers. And you are ruining them. If you cannot store them properly, do not take them. [or act according to the following principle]: bring them in the morning – apply them all by the evening. Why should I have to beg you? You are grown adults. No sooner said than done. There must be mobilization, there must be discipline,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed.
The head of state had warned about responsibility for improper storage and failure to use mineral fertilizers as intended at a meeting on 14 April dedicated to the comprehensive social and economic development of the southeastern part of Mogilev Oblast for 2026-2030.
The president noted that at a time when global market prices for mineral fertilizers were high, domestic producers, following the head of state’s instruction, continued to supply the country’s farmers with significant volumes at affordable prices. At the same time, Aleksandr Lukashenko set the task to use fertilizers as efficiently as possible to achieve a good harvest. He warned Agriculture and Food Minister Yuri Gorlov: “Keep in mind: God forbid that the fertilizers are stored improperly in any single farm…” The minister assured him that nothing of the sort would happen. However, instances of negligent management were uncovered.
“How am I supposed to react to this?” the head of state said. “I ‘took’ money from producers and from the budget, and we took a loss. We could have sold it for five times as much, earned foreign currency – instead I gave it to you, and you ruined it!”
“There is ‘dictatorship’ in the country, the president gives an order, and my subordinates fail carry it out. What is this?” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. “Shuleiko and Gorlov [Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Shuleiko and Agriculture and Food Minister Yuri Gorlov], you will be held fully accountable if you do not understand what I am telling you. This is basic stuff. I just explained to you how much money the country could have earned and what political gain there would have been.”
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