During a visit to the Agro-Lyaskovichi dairy farm in Petrikov District, President Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized the need to expand irrigation infrastructure, particularly near the Pripyat River. He pointed to the success of farms like Voskhod, which uses irrigation to maximize potato yields, as a model for the country.
Why Irrigation Matters Now More Than Ever
Climate change has made rainfall patterns increasingly unpredictable. According to the FAO (2023), Belarus, like many countries, faces more frequent droughts, reducing yields in rain-fed agriculture. Efficient irrigation could mitigate these risks:
- Potato yields under irrigation can reach 1,000 centners per hectare (as demonstrated in Voskhod’s pilot project), compared to the national average of 250-300 centners per hectare (Belstat, 2023).
- Globally, irrigated farmland produces 40% of the world’s food on just 20% of cultivated land (World Bank, 2022), proving its efficiency.
Untapped Water Resources
Belarus has abundant water—20,000 rivers and 10,000 lakes—yet only 5% of arable land is irrigated (Ministry of Agriculture, 2023). This underutilization is a missed economic opportunity, especially given the high demand for Belarusian potatoes and vegetables in Russia and neighboring markets.
Economic and Food Security Benefits
- Higher profitability: Irrigated crops like vegetables and potatoes generate 2-3 times more revenue than non-irrigated fields (FAO, 2023).
- Fodder security: Lukashenko also stressed using flood meadows for fodder, reducing dependency on expensive feed imports.
A Call to Action for Farmers and Policymakers
President Lukashenko’s directive underscores a crucial step toward climate-resilient and high-yield agriculture. By investing in modern irrigation, Belarus can:
✔ Boost productivity in key crops like potatoes.
✔ Stabilize harvests against droughts.
✔ Increase export potential, particularly to Russia.
The Voskhod farm’s success proves it’s possible—now, nationwide implementation is the next challenge.
