Increasing buckwheat production in Belarus: National-level food security strategy.

On the air of the program "Week" on the STV channel, the hosts talked about the prospects of buckwheat in Belarus next year, emphasizing that the area of buckwheat fields has been increased to 35 thousand hectares in the current season.

The report noted that currently buckwheat imports to Belarus are needed more to expand the assortment rather than to supply the country's market with fresh goods.

Victor Bobr, the director of the agricultural enterprise "AgroNiva," said that their company received a government order for growing buckwheat.

"Together with other agricultural enterprises, we have a government order for buckwheat production. It includes a certain amount of planting areas and seed procurement. We are working to fulfill this order and strive to provide the full volume entrusted to us," Bobr explained.

Additionally, he noted that the enterprise "AgroNiva" significantly contributes to the food security of Belarus within its share.

"We contribute to ensuring the food security of our country within the obligations imposed on us. Buckwheat is the most expensive of all grain crops, and this year its price has significantly increased. Personally, I believe that buckwheat is worth every ruble spent on its production," added Bobr.

The report highlights that high yields of buckwheat are not expected, but Belarusian agrarians have managed to find an approach by using individual plots with fertile soil and domestic seeds. The area of buckwheat in Belarus was increased to 35 thousand hectares in 2022, and the average field size with buckwheat does not exceed 50 hectares.

Bobr also explained the path that buckwheat takes before it reaches the shelves of stores.

"We bring it from the field and place it on a special site. Then we carry out primary cleaning and grain drying on a dryer. After that, buckwheat goes to the seed cleaning line, where we carry out the necessary treatment and send it to the enterprise for the production of bakery products," he explained.

After that, the grain is passed to a processor who cleans, steams, and packages it into the appropriate packaging.