Kazakhstan plans to double its machinery and equipment for combating locust infestations during the 2025 growing season. The expansion of locust control measures and preparations for spring fieldwork were key topics discussed at a government meeting on January 9.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture Ermek Kenzhekhanuly reported that 247 pieces of equipment were deployed for chemical field treatments in 2024. This number will rise to 443 in 2025, including 46 agro drones and 7 monitoring drones newly acquired by the Ministry of Agriculture.
Enhanced Strategies and Subsidies
Building on a successful pilot project in the Turkestan region last spring, the Ministry has adopted centralized services for the purchase, transport, and storage of pesticides and field treatment. The program tested agro drones for spraying fields and operated under a unified “one supplier – all work” principle.
To further support farmers and service providers, the government will reimburse 25% of the cost of wheeled spraying machinery and agro drones, making these technologies more accessible.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin emphasized the need to restructure sown areas, reducing wheat cultivation in favor of oilseed and other high-margin crops.
Results and Regional Cooperation
Kazakhstan’s locust control measures proved effective in 2024, with over 3.1 million hectares treated – 23% more than the planned 2.5 million hectares. This protected agricultural crops from significant damage by grasshopper swarms.
Locust infestations in Kazakhstan have escalated in recent years, affecting 514,000 hectares in 2020 and rising to 1.6 million hectares by 2023. According to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization, locust outbreaks threaten agriculture across Central Asia and the South Caucasus, endangering over 25 million hectares of farmland and impacting approximately 20 million people.
To address the issue, Kazakhstan continues close cooperation with neighboring countries, including Russia, to monitor and mitigate the potential spread of locusts.
