Agricultural Produce - The Times Of Central Asia

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Kazakhstan to Establish Healthy Seed Center to Boost Crop Yields

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Agriculture has announced plans to establish a Healthy Seed Center aimed at reducing plant diseases and increasing crop productivity. The center will be created in 2026 at the Zhiembaev Kazakh Research Institute of Plant Protection and Quarantine and will be equipped with state-of-the-art technology and staffed by highly qualified specialists. Its primary goal is to combat pathogens that threaten crop yields and environmental safety. The new center will collaborate with seed farms across Kazakhstan, analyzing seed samples from various crops. A key objective of the project is to increase the share of domestically produced seeds to 80% by 2030. Experts emphasize that improving seed quality is crucial in preventing plant diseases, as up to 70% of crop infections are transmitted through seeds. The center is expected to boost crop yields by at least 40%. As Central Asia’s leading agricultural producer and exporter, Kazakhstan plays a key role in the regional supply of grain, wheat, and oilseeds. In 2025, the country plans to cultivate 23.8 million hectares, an increase of 518,000 hectares compared to 2024, reflecting ongoing efforts to expand agricultural production.

Agriculture Economy Government Agricultural Produce

Kazakhstan to Diversify Agricultural Crops for Higher Yields and Increased Profits

Kazakhstan will continue diversifying its agricultural crop areas this year as part of efforts to double gross agricultural output, Minister of Agriculture Aidarbek Saparov announced at a government meeting on February 11, focused on preparations for the upcoming sowing season. According to Saparov, Kazakhstan plans to sow crops on 23.8 million hectares in 2025, an increase of 518,000 hectares compared to 2024. The crop diversification program will cover approximately 1 million hectares, while the area dedicated to highly profitable crops will expand by 750,000 hectares. The area under oilseed crops will increase by 365,000 hectares, reaching 3.3 million hectares, including a 50,600-hectare expansion for sunflower cultivation, bringing it to 1.3 million hectares. Potato cultivation will grow by 14,900 hectares to reach 136,800 hectares, while buckwheat fields will expand by 41,500 hectares, bringing the total to 147,000 hectares. The sugar beet planting area will increase to 18,400 hectares, and forage crops will expand by 184,000 hectares, reaching 3.4 million hectares. Cotton will be sown on 135,200 hectares, while rice will cover 90,200 hectares. Kazakhstan will also continue to reduce its reliance on wheat monoculture. In 2025, grain crops will be sown on 16.6 million hectares, slightly down from 16.7 million hectares in 2024. Over the past two years, wheat cultivation has been reduced by nearly 730,000 hectares, including 159,000 hectares this year. According to Saparov, diversification will help mitigate risks associated with price fluctuations in agricultural markets. Oilseeds and legumes remain in high demand both domestically and internationally, with consistently strong prices. While the average price of wheat stands at 65,000 - 70,000 KZT per ton, export-oriented crops such as flax and rapeseed can fetch 200,000 KZT per ton or more. Beyond economic benefits, crop diversification contributes to soil health. Saparov highlighted that legumes, in particular, help enrich the soil with nitrogen, improving the yield of subsequent crops. This approach not only increases profitability but also enhances environmental sustainability.

Agriculture Fish Farm Agricultural Produce

Rosenberg King Prawns to Be Bred in Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan’s Elin Balyk fish farm is expanding its operations by introducing the breeding of Rosenberg freshwater king prawns. Located in the Ak Bugday district of Ahal province, on the Karakum River, Elin Balyk has been engaged in fish farming for over a decade. The farm operates on a 130-hectare site, granted for free use for 99 years. It features 20 ponds covering a total area of 400 square meters, along with six indoor rearing facilities that house shrimp and fish at various growth stages - from larvae and fry to mature commercial stock and breeding specimens. A newly launched hatchery, equipped with technology from Russia, Iran, and Europe, enhances production capabilities. The facility employs modern aquaculture methods, including a closed water circulation system that limits water loss to just 10%. The intensive fish farming process avoids antibiotics and chemicals while ensuring optimal oxygenation levels. As part of its diversification efforts, Elin Balyk has begun breeding Rosenberg freshwater shrimp, a species native to Thailand. These prawns can grow up to 100 grams in weight, with body lengths comparable to an adult’s palm. Looking ahead, the company plans to introduce Vannamei shrimp, a saltwater species, and has trained its specialists in Iran and Thailand to master the necessary aquaculture techniques. An additional land plot is expected to be allocated for this expansion.

Agriculture Agricultural Export Agricultural Produce

Kyrgyzstan Aims to Develop Organic Agriculture

As Kyrgyzstan seeks to expand the production and export of environmentally friendly organic agricultural products, the country’s Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry has drafted a Program for the Development of Organic Production in the Kyrgyz Republic for 2025-2029. The document has been submitted for public discussion. The program aims to create favorable legal, economic, and social conditions for organic producers through state support. Kyrgyzstan has natural advantages for developing organic agriculture, including a clean ecosystem, ecologically unpolluted soils and water in mountainous and foothill regions, traditional farming methods with minimal agrochemical use, rich biodiversity, and strong export potential. According to the ministry, Kyrgyzstan currently has 63,000 hectares of certified organic farmland, accounting for 5.25% of the country’s total arable land. By 2029, this area is expected to triple to 200,000 hectares. The program also seeks to increase organic production to 25% of total agricultural output and raise the share of organic exports to 25% of total agricultural exports. To achieve these goals, the program proposes several key measures: Pilot Project: Transition the Issyk-Kul and Naryn regions to fully organic farming methods. Public Awareness Campaign: Conduct a large-scale information campaign on the benefits of organic production. Infrastructure Development: Improve processing and logistics for organic exports. Certification Standards: Establish laboratories for organic product certification. Research and Innovation: Conduct scientific research and introduce advanced organic farming technologies. If successfully implemented, the initiative could strengthen Kyrgyzstan’s position as a leading producer of organic agricultural products in the region.

Agriculture Agricultural Produce Agricultural Import

Uzbekistan Aims for Self-Sufficiency in Potato Production by 2027

Uzbekistan plans to fully meet its domestic potato demand through local production by 2027. Although potatoes are among the most consumed food products in the country, a portion of the supply still comes from imports, despite being cultivated on 290,000 hectares of land. Government Initiative to Boost Production Current potato varieties and yields are falling short of expectations, prompting the government to take action. The Potato Research Institute has been tasked with developing high-yield varieties adapted to Uzbekistan’s climate. The institute will produce three million tubers annually using the in-vitro method, a technique where plant samples from the upper shoot are cultivated under artificial conditions in test tubes or glass containers. To support these efforts, the government will allocate 400 billion UZS (USD 30.85 million) from the Agricultural Fund this year for potato farming development. Additionally, imported seed potatoes will be exempt from customs duties for the next three years. Authorities have also been instructed to provide farmers with potato cultivation and processing equipment, offering affordable leasing options. Impact of Regional Potato Supply Disruptions The announcement comes amid rising potato prices in Central Asia. Recently, Kazakhstan suspended potato exports to non-EEU countries, including Uzbekistan, for six months due to increasing domestic prices. This restriction has already caused difficulties for Uzbek importers. Additionally, a shipment of 43 wagons of potatoes from Kazakhstan’s Pavlodar region was stopped at the Uzbek border a few days ago for a phytosanitary inspection. The delay left the potatoes in storage for over 10 days, causing them to freeze and spoil. “Look, it’s rotten. Water is leaking, everything is ruined. First, it froze, then it melted - now it’s useless. There were 68 tons in one wagon,” said businessman Azamat Serikbayev. The Kazakh entrepreneurs, who had sold the shipment before the export ban took effect, expressed frustration, arguing that all necessary documents had been issued in mid-January. They claim the cargo was unjustly delayed and is now unsuitable even for animal feed. Representatives of five affected companies say they intend to sue officials over their losses.

Grain export Agricultural Produce harvest Agricultural Export Grain Agriculture

Kazakhstan Reports Record Grain Harvest of 26.7 Million Tons in 2024

Kazakhstan harvested 26.7 million tons of grain in 2024, marking its largest grain yield in 13 years, according to the Ministry of Agriculture. The latest figures, published on January 29, slightly revise the previously reported total of 26.5 million tons, gathered from 16.7 million hectares of farmland. Kazakhstan is the largest grain producer and exporter in Central Asia, annually shipping 8 to 9 million tons of grain abroad, including 6.5 to 7.5 million tons of wheat. In 2024, exports reached 8.1 million tons. For the 2025 season, Kazakhstan aims to export approximately 12 million tons of newly harvested grain. While traditional markets such as Central Asia, Afghanistan, China, Turkey, and Italy remain key destinations, Kazakhstan is also expanding into Azerbaijan, Iran, Pakistan, Indonesia, Brazil, and Malaysia. Kazakhstan has already begun exporting grain from the new harvest, with 3.7 million tons shipped between September and December 25, 2024 - a 54% increase compared to the same period in 2023.