Penza, 13 September 2016. PenzaNews. One of the biggest experts in Russia and the CIS countries on the development of the working parts of onion harvesting machines, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor Nikolai Laryushin, who devoted almost 50 years of his life to research and teaching activities in the Penza State Agricultural Academy, gave a detailed commentary to PenzaNews about the thesis of his student — Penza administration head Victor Kuvaytsev, who is currently working on his doctoral research on the topic “Energy-saving technologies and technical means of oilseed sowing.”

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“The best student, I must say. He is “from the earth.” And works conscientiously, fast. [...] So I get the pleasure of working with him. He's very smart. I have great respect for such people,” the agency interlocutor said, reminding that Victor Kuvaytsev knows how to work in the field and handle the machine, as in the Soviet period he headed tractor-field team, then headed the production of fodder, and thereafter was the chairman of the farm.

Responding to a question about whether the mayor of Penza Victor Kuvaytsev works on his doctoral thesis himself and participates in the laboratory and field studies, Nikolai Laryushin answered in the affirmative.

“Who does would? I am saying, he does everything himself conscientiously. He is very easy to work with when the direction of work is clear. There are no complaints here,” the supervisor assured.

Speaking of the latter of the last two articles by Victor Kuvaytsev published in the August issue of the journal “Niva Povolzhya,” Nikolai Laryushin stressed that the author has several dozens of similar publications.

“50 scientific articles minimum. Both teaching, and monographs, and articles — all of them are in the national press and in the collections of various institutions. [...] The dissertation requires only three articles [HAC requirements], and he made four times as much! He fulfilled the requirement of doctoral dissertation, plus he has got patents as well. Everything he does is patented, so there is much material, enough for two doctoral works,” the professor said, adding that Victor Kuvaytsev will defend the thesis in “Technologies and means of agriculture mechanization.”

Answering the question of PenzaNews reporter about where and when the defense takes place, the agency interlocutor that the exact location and time will be determined later.

“Perhaps, somewhere in the Volga region. We'll see where this topic is worked through better. We have Saransk, Samara, Ulyanovsk and Saratov. I have not studied in detail the question of where to defend. [...] We have two more years [till the defense]. He has already done a lot. In two years, it is possible, I think. Deadline, two and a half. Now the main task is to finish it [thesis],” Nikolai Laryushin said.

Professor informed that the thesis is in the final stage now.

“What's left is to compile it, make all the structural schemes, structural analysis and all of the input-output parameters. And bring it in line with the requirements of HAC,” the interlocutor said.

Speaking about whether Kuvaytsev's research is based on particular practice or mostly on the theoretical and methodological framework, Nikolai Laryushin said that the thesis will include patents, which are now under consideration in the Federal Institute of Industrial Property.

Talking about the practical application of this doctoral thesis and its inventions in the development of agriculture of the Penza region, the professor said that some samples made with the direct participation of Victor Kuvaytsev, have long been used in real life, as far-sighted farmers show genuine interest in them.

“Very much demanded! Right now they are constructing a seed drill in Kamenka. And all of our technical means, that are patented are already installed in the drills. For sowing small seeds, there are no perfect means. Foreign offers are not finished, so we checked on the stands and carried out field studies — everything is fine. The only thing to do is make it serial production. And prototypes that passed laboratory and field research already exist,” he said.

Moreover, at the request of PenzaNews correspondent, Nikolai Laryushin explained what exactly is the difficulty of sowing small seed crops.

“The depth is 1-1,5-2 cm . And the distribution should be even. If this is not observed, that is, they are too deep — they do not grow, too close to the surface — they fall into the dry soil, and there are no seedlings. A very delicate question. Here are all the elements, the technical means that we make are aimed at meeting these requirements. It is a complex issue, that is why it is still unsolved — neither abroad nor here,” the professor said.

“Any invention, which the factory agreed to produce, takes five years to implement. There are accelerated test, but I do not trust them -— the faster is not the better. Prototypes will be tested for a year or two to put on the seed drill. But they are ready and working to defend the doctoral thesis,” the agency interlocutor commented.