June 1 — Meliorator's Day: history and traditions, who is congratulated on the holiday

Every year, on the first Sunday of June, meliorators, specialists who improve soil quality in order to make the land more fertile and efficient for agriculture, celebrate their professional holiday. In 2025, the date falls on June 1. Izvestia has collected interesting facts about the profession of land reclamation and tells how the holiday is celebrated in Russia.

The history of Land Reclamation Day, celebrated on June 1

The profession of land reclamation in our country became one of the most important and in-demand more than a hundred years ago, when the first law on land reclamation was issued. The document was approved in 1902 and laid the foundations for land reclamation activities. Today, the profession of land reclamation is still relevant, especially for areas that are in the zone of risky farming, and in the face of climate change.

For the first time, land reclamation workers, along with other workers of the national economy, began to be honored in the late 1970s. The decree on the establishment of the Land Reclamation Day was issued on May 24, 1976. Later, the date was fixed at the official level in modern Russia. The corresponding decree was signed by Russian President Vladimir Putin in 2000. Its annual celebration is set for the first Sunday in June.

The holiday is also celebrated in a number of post-Soviet countries, for example in Belarus and Ukraine, where it also falls on the first Sunday of June. Moreover, in Belarus, the celebration is highlighted in particular, since in the past years more than 40% of the territory was occupied by swamps and wetlands. This day is intended to celebrate the contribution of specialists to improving soil fertility and economic development of the state.

What are the responsibilities of a land reclamation operator?

Officially, the position of land reclamation appeared in the Russian Empire in the 19th century. Even before the law on land reclamation was issued, a special land improvement department was established in the Ministry of Agriculture. During its introduction, work was carried out on the drainage of swamps and irrigation of dry areas. Prior to that, land improvement activities were carried out at the level of individual landowners.

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Nowadays, these functions are assigned to the Melioration Department of the Russian Ministry of Agriculture. His staff conducts research and expertise of soils, develops plans for necessary work, and prepares project documentation. Specialists are also directly involved in the implementation of projects and monitor the condition of agricultural machinery involved in land reclamation.

In order to increase the efficiency of land use, land reclamation uses various methods, including drainage of wetlands, irrigation of desert areas and soil fertilization. As a result, the characteristics of the land are adjusted to the required norm, which makes it possible to achieve good crop yields and create a solid fodder base for livestock farming.

In their work, specialists are guided by scientific achievements and best practices in the field of land reclamation. In addition, they need to know the laws and other legal regulations on both soil treatment and ecology and environmental protection.

Land Reclamation Day in 2025: traditions, who is being congratulated

Congratulations on Land Reclamation Day are accepted by workers directly involved in soil reclamation. These are agronomists, engineers, mechanics, melioration scientists, heads of agricultural enterprises and manufacturers of agricultural machinery. Congratulations are also extended to students and teachers of specialized fields of agricultural and agricultural universities.

Traditionally, awards ceremonies for the best employees and teams are held on the holiday. In a number of regions, sports competitions, concerts and performances are held for land reclamation workers and their families. Celebrations are especially widespread in areas of active agriculture, where almost every family has people involved in the cultivation and care of arable land.

Equipment exhibitions, scientific seminars and conferences are also timed to coincide with the celebration, during which you can exchange experiences and discuss innovative technologies in the field of land reclamation. Sometimes they organize volunteer environmental actions to clean up reservoirs, plant trees, or green the territory.

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Land Reclamation Day – 2025: interesting facts

The holiday of domestic land reclamation workers has its own symbol — a wheat sheaf, which represents a good harvest, because it is the yield indicator that is considered one of the main ones when evaluating the work of these specialists.

Until recently, there was an honorary title of "Honored Meliorator of Russia" in our country. It was awarded to employees of land reclamation organizations, engineering, technical and scientific workers for their services in the field of land reclamation and many years of conscientious work. In 2010, the title was abolished due to the reform of the award system.

Previously, there were Meliorator football clubs in the Stavropol Territory, the Saratov region, the Kazakh city of Shymkent and the Uzbek Yangier. Today, there is a team with that name in Belarus. The name "Meliorator" is given by a club from the city of Zhitkovichi.

Earlier, Izvestia reported on the Day of Agricultural Workers, which is celebrated annually in October.