Gomel Oblast targets 1.1m tonnes in 2026 grain harvest

Gomel Oblast is aiming to harvest at least 1.1 million tonnes of grain crops during the 2026 harvest, Gomel Oblast Governor Ivan Krupko told the media following a report to Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko on 23 June, BelTA has learned.

“Agriculture is one of the most important topics. The president always pays attention to it and is always interested in the state of affairs. The head of state was briefed on the current situation in the oblast. Fodder harvesting is now nearing completion - less than 10% of grass remains to be cut. This year’s results are very good. In fact, we have harvested over 6.5 centners of feed units per conventional head of livestock. The increase is 2.5 centners of feed units, or almost 200% in physical volume of haylage harvested compared to last year. The president instructed us to pay close attention to the quality of feed, to monitor technology and control at all stages of harvesting to ensure the feed is nutritious,” Ivan Krupko said.

The president was also interested in the condition of winter crops and spring grains, and the results with which the oblast is approaching the harvest. “This year, there were no spring setbacks - no frosts or other issues. The condition of winter grains, winter rapeseed, and spring crops is quite good for the soils of Gomel Oblast. This year, we hope to harvest 1.1 to 1.15 million tonnes of grain crops and about 100,000 tonnes of rapeseed. All the main tasks - field work and fertilizing - have been completed. Work is now underway to prepare harvesters, drying facilities, and teams for the harvest,” the governor said.

According to the governor, if the current temperature and rainfall levels hold, enough to nourish both spring and winter grain crops, the outlook is positive.

Ivan Krupko noted that winter barley will be the first to be harvested. “We expect to be ready for winter barley harvesting by 10 July. Currently, the harvester fleet is 80% ready, and drying facilities are 85% ready. We are well supplied with spare parts. Gomselmash is located in Gomel Oblast, and serious work has been carried out under the president’s instruction to supply spare parts with deferred payment. All these issues have been resolved. I believe that by 1 July, harvester readiness will be around 90%, and that will be enough equipment to harvest the winter barley areas,” the governor added.

“We hope the results will please our farmers. It will serve as an incentive for further high-quality, technologically advanced work, to achieve good harvests and develop agriculture,” Ivan Krupko said.