ALMATY, Kazakhstan (TCA) — A pilot project introducing GPS devices for livestock movement tracking was launched with support of Kazakh Invest national investment promotion company in Almaty region. The project value is $700 thousand. Its developers — the South Korean company Lives’Talk and Samsung Electronics — installed 15 antennas in Kegen district of Almaty region to operate the devices, Kazakh Invest reported on June 27.
Each GPS device is a set consisting of three transmitters, waterproof collars and one receiver for monitoring via a mobile phone. The device works independently, without connecting to other sources, through a specialised network. The cost of each set will vary within $300. During the project launch, the first 50 sets were donated to local farmers free of charge.
“The lack of Internet connectivity in this area creates a special need for our product in view of annual livestock losses in the highland pastures. So, on average, up to 10% of livestock is lost annually. Currently, our tracking system is the only one in Kazakhstan that can operate without Internet connection,” said Yury Yon, the CEO of Lives’Talk.
Kanat Moldasanov, the Chairman of the Kumtoken farm, has about 400 horses, cows and more than 2 thousand sheep on his farm in Kegen district. According to the farmer, the location of the farm and the highlands make it difficult to control cattle grazing. In the morning sheep and horses are in one place, and in the evening they can graze a few kilometers away. According to the farmer, modern technologies are needed in this field in order to preserve livestock: “Cattle breeding is a very labour-intensive activity. In our area with mountains, it is not easy to keep track of the cattle. On top of this, cases of cattle rustling have become more frequent. So great that we are given the opportunity to test the system for free. But even if we have to pay, it is better to spend money on the devices from the sale of two horses rather that losing more. Thanks to these devices, police officers will also receive tremendous help, as rustler are getting more and more agile every year,” Moldasanov said.
To launch the pilot project, Kazakh Invest provided assistance in the preparation and provision of all the necessary permits: “These investors have been attracted by us together with the Embassy of Kazakhstan in South Korea. We target investors engaged in high-tech developments, which we do not have in our country yet. In case of successful tests, Korean businessmen intend not only to establish their production but also to further develop this technology in our country,” said Zangar Salimbayev, the director of Kazakh Invest regional office in Almaty region.
The pilot project is scheduled for completion in September 2019. The developers will analyse the data obtained from the device for its further improvement. In case of successful implementation of the project, Lives’Talk plans to start production of the devices in Almaty region.
