Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko invited the head of the Ministry of Agriculture, Sergei Bartosh, to inspect the soil and locate grain after sowing. The moment was broadcast by the state television channel ONT, highlighting the hands-on approach of the president in monitoring agricultural progress (Source: Belarusian state media).
“Where is the minister? Look for grain!” Lukashenko declared during a guided tour of one of the cultivated fields, making his expectations clear to ministry officials and agricultural workers alike.
During conversations with ministry staff and farmers, Lukashenko expressed satisfaction with the results and stressed that the grain had been planted in soil considered suitable for early germination and robust growth. The moment underscored the government’s emphasis on land quality and planting conditions as critical factors in the season’s potential yield (Source: official press briefings).
Belarus officially began its planting campaign on March 15 in the Gomel and Brest regions, which are among the country’s southern territories. Officials had previously cautioned that this year’s sowing would depart from past campaigns due to climate variability, requiring adjustments in hectares, seed selection, and field management practices to optimize germination under changing weather patterns (Source: agricultural ministry statements).
Earlier in the year, Lukashenko had criticized what he described as inactivity and clericalism within the country’s military-industrial complex, signaling a demand for greater initiative and visible results in related exercises and programs. The president’s remarks reflected a broader push to align defense-related production and readiness with the agricultural push to secure national food security (Source: state leadership communications).
In recent public remarks, Lukashenko has faced questions about his governance style and leadership approach, including being described by critics as a dictator. Supporters have framed his leadership as decisive and results-oriented, emphasizing accountability across both civilian and military sectors as part of the nation’s strategic priorities (Source: regional political discourse).