ASTANA (TCA) — According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the year 2018 was generally favorable for increasing yields and crop production in Kazakhstan, the official website of the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan reported.
Regional departments of agriculture report that the yield of grain crops in the initial weight was 15.1 centners per hectare (1 centner equals to 100 kg), which is 0.6 centners per hectare or 3.9% higher than the level of 2017.
The gross grain harvest in the initial weight amounted to 22.8 million tons of grain, which exceeds 2017 level by 759.9 thousand tons, or 3.4%. Gross harvest of oilseeds in the initial weight is estimated at 2.686 million tons, potatoes — 3.896 million tons, vegetables — 3.937 million tons, melons and gourds — 2.242 million tons. Also, 350 thousand tons of raw cotton and 595.7 thousand tons of sugar beet were collected.
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, in 2018 the sown area of crops amounted to 22 million hectares, which is 170 thousand hectares or 0.6% more than in 2017.
In January-September 2018, exports of agricultural products totaled more than $2 billion, including exports of processed products totaling $780 million. For 11 months of 2018, 17.5 thousand tons of beef were exported, with a plan of 15 thousand tons.
In general, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, an increase in the volume of attracted investments in the fixed capital of agriculture over 10 months was 18.4%, and in food production — 33.7%.
The ministry intends to attract multinational companies which invest not only in capital, but also in new production and processing technologies, introduce new approaches to management, and the ability to export Kazakhstani agricultural products under recognized global brands.
For example, there is a cooperation with the Italian company Cremonini Group on the construction of a modern meat processing plant, with the Chinese corporation CITIC Construction on the creation of a joint investment fund and irrigation, with the Chinese company Golden Camel on the processing of camel milk, with the British Dunbia on cooperation in the livestock industry, with the American AGKO for the construction of a pig farm and the development of aquaculture, with the German CLASS for the production of agricultural machinery, and with Korean Hyundai Corporation for the production of tractors in Kazakhstan.
