Country Overview
Although agriculture accounts for 13% of the Belarusian economy,  it remains largely in the hands of the Belarusian government, which is only beginning to explore ways to dismantle the collectivized farm system. The historical inefficiency of collective farms, the misallocation of resources, and the inflexibility in adjusting quickly to market dynamics have convinced the government to explore a new path: privatized collective farms.

There are only a few dozen privatized collective farms in Belarus today compared with 2,250 collective farms that remain structurally unchanged since the Soviet days. With the collapse of the Soviet Union and their inability to integrate into existing markets, the collectivized farms have continued to operate at a loss, sustained only by government subsidies. Lack of economic efficiency and persistent managerial hurdles have left the collective farms devoid of new technologies, market integration and profitability.

CNFA in Belarus

FtF Volunteer, John Tryon, with Oguinskoe Farm members

The Farmer-to-Farmer Program has been active in Belarus since 1999. Our objectives in Belarus are to help privatized collective farms achieve success and increase the incomes of their employees, raise the living standards of Belarusian farmers, and aid the process of general privatizaion. CNFA is committed to assisting farmers during this tumultuous transition, and has fielded over 68 volunteers who have completed 99 technical assistance assignments . They have provided invaluable advice and support during this economic adjustment.

Our Strategy
Privatized collective farms are a powerful force in their local economies, having the ability to employ hundreds of people. Due to their integration into the mechanisms of the free market, they are able to introduce new technology and better managerial capacity quickly. These farms could be the key to prosperity in Belarus’ agricultural sector.

Although we are limited by the small number of existing privatized collective farms in Belarus, the impact of our success can serve as an inspiration and a model for a wider de-collectivization through out the country.

CNFA FtF fields volunteers to the privatized collective farms to address and train farmers in the following areas: 

• Crop, forage and livestock production
• Business management and organization
• Strategic planning
• Marketing and market assessment
• Farm financial management
• Introduction of modern technology

 
To see a list of current volunteer opportunities in Belarus, click here.

JOIN US IN BELARUS!

Please click here for volunteer resources on Belarus.

Please click here to read Success Stories from Belarus.

Please click here for information on Farmer-to-Farmer Program Impact in Belarus.

For FtF contact information please click here.