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Kazakhstan Boosts Subsidies for Farmers Using Water-Saving Technologies

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation has announced an increase in state subsidies for farmers employing water-saving technologies, raising support to 85% for irrigation water costs. This move aims to encourage the widespread adoption of modern water-saving methods, which are expected to reduce water consumption and expand agricultural land. Berikbol Mandibayev, Director of the Ministry’s Department for the Development of Water-Saving Technologies, highlighted the initiative’s potential impact. “The increased subsidies will motivate farmers to adopt modern water-saving technologies, saving 20–30% of irrigation water and enabling the expansion of the country’s agricultural land by 1.3 million hectares by 2030,” Mandibayev said. Subsidies for the purchase and installation of water-saving systems were also raised this year, increasing from 50% to 80%. The Ministry has outlined a Roadmap for Water Conservation for 2024-2026, which includes measures to improve water legislation, digitalize the water sector, and implement advanced water metering and conservation technologies. Additionally, master plans for introducing water-saving systems through 2030 have been approved. Kazakhstan’s agricultural land spans 23.3 million hectares, of which 1.9 million hectares are irrigated, primarily in the country’s arid southern regions. However, the adoption of water-saving technologies remains limited. In 2023, only 17% of irrigated land (312,000 hectares) utilized such technologies, with drip irrigation employed on just 84,000 hectares. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has criticized the slow pace of progress in adopting water-saving practices, citing annual water losses of up to 40% in some regions. The agricultural sector’s inefficiency prompted calls for urgent reforms earlier this year.

FAO Food Security Inflation Food Legislation Agriculture

High Food Costs and Growing Waistlines: Kazakhstan’s Struggle with Rising Obesity

More than half of Kazakhstan’s population is overweight or obese, even as food prices in the country continue to climb. Deputy Prime Minister Serik Jumangarin recently highlighted that nearly 50% of consumer spending is allocated to food and beverages. In response, members of the Senate and the upper house of parliament are advocating for stricter regulations on food quality. Aniko Nemeth, an expert on food safety and nutrition at the Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) regional office for Europe and Central Asia, pointed out the country’s obesity crisis during a Senate hearing on food security. Drawing from data from the Kazakh Academy of Nutrition, she noted that 55.5% of women and 49.2% of men in Kazakhstan are overweight or obese. At the same time, 5.6% of the population suffers from malnutrition. The paradox highlights a larger issue: the rising cost of a healthy diet. According to Nemeth, the price has increased by at least 8% over the last eight years. Urban residents are more affected than rural residents who can supplement their diets with homegrown produce. Deputy Prime Minister Jumangarin acknowledged that food prices are a major burden for the population. He outlined measures to address the issue, including constructing 92 modern fruit and vegetable storage facilities by the end of next year. With a capacity of 700,000 tons, these facilities aim to stabilize seasonal prices. Additionally, subsidies for seeds will be increased to support farmers, focusing on reducing dependency on foreign hybrids. Jumangarin also addressed the dependence on imported meat, which drives up costs. He announced plans for a commercial livestock farming project in the Turkestan region, modeled on Australia’s practices. Expected to launch in 2025, the initiative aims to lower domestic meat prices and increase sausage production. Furthermore, Kazakhstan is set to become self-sufficient in poultry production and may even begin exporting chicken meat within a few years. Kazakhstan’s cheese production currently meets only 57% of domestic demand. New production projects are underway to bridge the gap, including partnerships with global leaders like French-owned Lactalis, the world's largest dairy products group. Jumangarin revealed plans for a facility in the Akmola region and another in Kostanay to produce 2,000 tons of cheese annually. These efforts coincide with an anticipated surplus in milk production from newly established dairy farms. Despite these efforts to make food more affordable, senators believe legislative action is needed to address the obesity epidemic. Arman Utegulov, representing the agricultural ministry of Kazakhstan, proposed a law to regulate genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and foods treated with pesticides and antibiotics. He also called for stricter oversight of laboratories and trade centers to ensure food quality. “Excessive hormones in animal feed lead to chronic diseases,” Karimovich warned. He suggested amendments to existing legislation and even the potential return of veterinary laboratories to state control to tackle these issues. Kazakhstan faces a dual challenge: ensuring food affordability and combating rising obesity rates. While government initiatives aim to support domestic agriculture and stabilize food prices, balancing quality and cost remains critical....

Agriculture Food Security Regional integration Regional Security Food industry

Central Asia Prioritizes Food Security Amid Shared Challenges

Food security remains a top priority for Central Asian nations, yet they face shared challenges that threaten regional stability. Deteriorating water resources, climate change, reliance on external food markets, and geopolitical pressures have intensified the need for regional cooperation in addressing these issues. Bilateral and Regional Efforts Talks between the presidents of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, on August 8 underscored the importance of collaboration. The two leaders witnessed the signing of an agricultural cooperation agreement between their respective ministries. This followed Tokayev’s November 2022 visit to Tashkent, which was particularly productive in advancing food security. Agreements included joint production of mineral fertilizers and a bilateral cooperation program worth $1.3 billion aimed at boosting mutual trade and developing agricultural projects. Trade within Central Asia has grown significantly, with Uzbekistan’s trade volume with its neighbors nearly doubling between 2017 and 2019. Kazakhstan, the region’s leading grain supplier, plays a central role: • Uzbekistan accounts for 60% of Kazakhstan’s grain exports. • Tajikistan consumes 18%. • Kyrgyzstan takes 14%. • Turkmenistan absorbs 6%. Despite this growth, experts highlight the untapped potential for expanding trade and cooperation in agriculture. Common Challenges Food security challenges are compounded by shared threats, including demographic growth and dwindling water resources. The region’s population has reached 75.5 million, while irrigated land per capita has decreased by more than 25% over the past 15 years. Water availability in the Syr Darya and Amu Darya river basins—crucial for irrigating 10 million hectares - faces a projected 15% decline. This is exacerbated by the alarming retreat of glaciers that feed these rivers, jeopardizing long-term agricultural sustainability. The Need for Regional Solutions While each Central Asian country primarily relies on its resources to address food security, the interconnected nature of these challenges calls for a collective approach. Enhanced regional cooperation is essential to develop resilient agricultural systems, manage water resources effectively, and ensure sustainable growth in food production.

Agriculture Foreign Investment World Bank Agricultural Produce

World Bank Allocates $5 Million to Create Agro-Logistics Center in Tajikistan

The World Bank has launched a project to establish an agro-logistics center in Tajikistan’s Sughd Special Economic Zone. The initiative, which began in 2021, aims to strengthen Tajikistan’s agricultural sector by increasing farm productivity and adding value to agricultural products. The center will serve as a critical element of efforts to enhance agricultural infrastructure and efficiency. The $5 million project, fully funded by the World Bank, is part of a broader six-year program titled “Enhancing the Sustainability of the Agricultural Sector,” running from June 2021 to June 2027. This program, with a total investment of $108 million, supports sustainable agricultural development through integrated activities. Construction of the Sughd Center is set to begin in 2025, with completion and commissioning expected by the end of 2026. The Sughd facility is one of five agro-logistics centers planned across Tajikistan as part of the World Bank’s initiative. These centers aim to reduce product losses and improve efficiency by introducing international standards for post-harvest handling of fruits and vegetables. Services provided will include sorting, packing, storage, and transportation, enabling Tajik producers to access new export markets and strengthen the national economy.

Food industry Grain export Economic Cooperation Bilateral Cooperation Agriculture Export/Import China

Kazakh Agricultural Producers Sign $1 Billion in Deals with China

Kazakhstan and China have strengthened their agricultural partnership with $1 billion in new export agreements signed on November 30 during negotiations in Beijing. The deals include a $100 million contract for Kazakh poultry products. Kazakhstan’s Agriculture Minister, Aidarbek Saparov, emphasized that grain, oilseeds, and vegetable oil form the bulk of the country’s agricultural exports to China. Grain exports, in particular, remain a key focus. In 2023, Kazakhstan’s grain exports to China surged 5.5-fold to 1.4 million tons. From January to September 2024, the country exported 1.1 million tons of grain to China. Both governments have agreed to raise grain exports to 2 million tons shortly. Kazakhstan has invited Chinese investors to collaborate in its agro-industrial sector, particularly in producing organic products, which command higher prices and are increasingly sought after in global markets. The country is also well-positioned to expand the production and export of high-quality livestock products, including beef, lamb, poultry, canned meat, dairy products, and honey. According to the Agriculture Ministry, Kazakhstan produces about $20 billion in agricultural goods annually. Over the past five years, agricultural exports have nearly doubled, reaching $5.4 billion. The ministry projects this figure will climb to $10 billion within the next five years.

Export/Import Agriculture Technology small and medium businesses Agricultural Produce

Kazakhstan’s Greenhouse Bananas: A Southern Success Story

A pioneering greenhouse in Kazakhstan's Turkestan region has begun producing 1,000 tons of bananas annually, marking a significant milestone in the country's agricultural diversification efforts. The project, led by GenGroupKazakhstan, combines innovative technology and tropical crop expertise to make banana cultivation viable in the region. GenGroupKazakhstan, known for its modern greenhouse construction, launched its first banana greenhouse on a five-hectare plot in June 2023. Drawing on techniques used in Turkey, the company harvested its first crop in May 2024. Building on this success, the company plans to expand its operations significantly. A new greenhouse complex spanning six hectares will focus on producing 3,000 tons of tomatoes and 130 tons of strawberries annually. Construction of the facility is expected to be completed by the end of 2025. In addition, GenGroupKazakhstan aims to cultivate mangoes, avocados, and blueberries across 10 hectares of open ground, further diversifying its portfolio of high-value crops. Vice Minister of Agriculture Azat Sultanov noted that growing bananas in Kazakhstan, while potentially profitable, presents unique challenges. Unlike tropical countries like Ecuador or Brazil, where bananas grow naturally with minimal input costs, Kazakhstan’s climate necessitates substantial investments in greenhouses, electricity, heating, fertilizers, and plant protection products. These requirements make banana production here a more resource-intensive endeavor.