Kazakhstan Attracts British Agricultural Technologies

Kazakhstan and the United Kingdom have signed a roadmap for cooperation in agriculture, paving the way for partnerships in agricultural science, the export and processing of agricultural products, and the transfer of British agricultural technologies. According to the Kazakh Ministry of Agriculture, the two countries also signed memorandums of understanding on collaboration in water resource management and the production of biopharmaceuticals in Kazakhstan in partnership with AstraZeneca. These agreements were concluded during the 11th meeting of the Kazakhstan-UK Intergovernmental Commission on Trade and Economic Cooperation, held in London last week. Deputy Minister of Agriculture Ermek Kenzhekhanuly stated that the introduction of British technologies and investment would enhance the competitiveness of Kazakhstan’s agro-industrial sector and improve its resilience to climate change. "In 2024, agricultural trade between Kazakhstan and the UK totaled $50 million. We intend to significantly increase this figure," he said. At the meeting, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Alibek Kuantyrov, who headed the Kazakh delegation, emphasized the UK's strategic role: “The UK is one of Kazakhstan’s key trading partners and top investors, with total FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) exceeding $22 billion. We greatly value the UK’s contribution to the development of Kazakhstan’s key industries and are committed to building a next-level partnership, focused on investment, technology, and knowledge transfer.” The Strategic Partnership and Cooperation Agreement signed between the two countries last year has opened new avenues for collaboration in critical minerals, green energy and climate initiatives, transport and logistics, pharmaceuticals and healthcare, education, and financial services.

U.S. Company John Deere Launches Agricultural Machinery Production in Kazakhstan

American agricultural machinery giant John Deere has officially launched production in Kostanay, Kazakhstan, marking a milestone in the country’s strategy to localize industrial output and reduce reliance on imports. The new manufacturing line is based at the Agromash plant’s localization center and reflects the Kazakh government’s broader policy to support domestic manufacturing and develop the machine-building sector. A key driver behind this initiative was the government’s recent decision to end subsidies for imported tractors and combines, creating momentum for localized production. The agreement with John Deere, widely recognized as a global leader in agricultural equipment, emerged as a flagship example of this new direction. By partnering with Agromash, Kazakhstan’s largest machinery manufacturer, the venture will produce self-propelled, trailed, and mounted equipment adapted to local agricultural conditions. Local production is expected to help farmers modernize their equipment more affordably. Through a government-backed preferential leasing program with an annual rate of just 5%, supported by 120 billion tenge in allocated funds, over 3,200 farmers will be able to purchase new domestically produced machinery this year. “Kazakhstan's agricultural producers now have access to machinery on favorable terms. This not only simplifies modernization efforts but also boosts the development of the agricultural sector,” the government noted. Agromash President Dinara Shukizhanova credited the country’s economic reforms for making the collaboration with John Deere possible. The initiative is expected to generate jobs, introduce advanced technologies, and prioritize the training of a new generation of engineers and technical specialists. John Deere’s official representative in Kazakhstan, Eurasia Group, will handle sales, service, and implementation of digital agricultural solutions. Over the next five years, three modern service centers will be established across the country to support digitalization in agriculture. These hubs will offer technical support and training for agronomists, mechanics, engineers, and IT professionals, reinforcing the efficient use of modern equipment. In addition to John Deere, the Agromash plant currently produces agricultural machinery under the ESSIL, LOVOL, and DEUTZ-FAHR brands. With an annual production capacity of up to 5,000 units, Agromash supplies machinery nationwide, supported by a regional network that spans major agricultural areas from Almaty to Ust-Kamenogorsk. Deere & Company, the parent corporation behind the John Deere brand, is a U.S.-based multinational manufacturer of agricultural, construction, and forestry equipment, as well as diesel engines and heavy-duty transmissions. The localization of John Deere production not only reinforces Kostanay’s position as Kazakhstan’s leading hub for agricultural machinery but also represents a strategic move toward technological sovereignty, innovation, and a strengthened domestic agro-industrial sector.