Vitaly Batsala: life and work of one of the best machine operators of the Vitebsk region

When the capricious weather in the northern region of Belarus finally becomes truly spring, the tractor driver of the branch of the agricultural enterprise "Mazolovogaz" UE "Vitebskoblgaz" Vitaly Batsala will take part in the sowing campaign. He is one of the best machine operators, was awarded the title of "Person of the Year of the Dvina Region-2023", and his photo is posted on the Board of Honor of the Vitebsk region.

When we arrived at the farm, Vitaly was finishing the preparation of his energy-saturated wheeled tractor "Belarus-3022" at the machine and tractor yard for leaving for the fields.

- Tractor of 2010 release. Yes, it is not new, but it works very effectively. If the equipment is properly maintained, it will not let you down. I have known this since childhood, because my father worked as a tractor driver, and I had the opportunity to understand what an "iron horse" is, to learn the nuances of its operation. I dreamed of becoming a tractor driver and I do not regret at all that I chose this profession," says the machine operator.

47-year-old Vitaly comes from Kazakhstan, where his parents came from Ukraine to develop virgin lands. There he studied to be a tractor driver, served in the army. He moved to the Vitebsk region after his sister, since her husband's relatives lived here.

"At first, I worked in one of the farms of the Liozno district. When I found out that machine operators were needed in Mazolovo in connection with the expansion of production, I came, looked, and liked everything. And here it has been for 16 years. My diligence and reliability were appreciated. The salary is good, there were no problems with housing: at first, an apartment was allocated for me, my wife and two children, then a good house," Vitaly shares his story.

He is proud to work in one of the best agricultural enterprises in the country. His wife also draws up waybills for the machine operators. Talking to us, Vitaly admitted that he would not have exchanged the tractor for a truck if he had been offered.

"I'm more interested in working in the field!" Soon I will start applying organic fertilizers, then, as usual, sow corn. I will look forward to sprouts. And when I see that what I have sown has grown well, I will again rejoice at the results of my work. And then I will harvest on a combine," Vitaly argues.

He is happy to share his experience with young people every year, when future machine operators are sent to the farm for practical training.

At home, Vitaly is a jack of all trades. He likes to hustle in the garden, greenhouse, garden. My wife and I are very happy when my daughter and son come to visit. The family loves to relax in nature, participate in patriotic events and folk festivals. We talked on the eve of Constitution Day. Vitaly is proud that Belarus has become a second homeland for him.

"We are calm, a person receives a decent reward for his hard work. In rural areas, a lot is being done to make it no worse, even better than in the city," says Vitaly. "I am confident in the wonderful future of the country, everything is fine and will be fine.