Under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, the Government meeting considered the issues of conducting spring field work in accordance with the tasks set by the President for the development of the agro-industrial complex. Reports were made by the heads of the ministries of agriculture, energy, ecology and natural resources, water resources and irrigation, the "Baiterek" holding, as well as the akims of the Kostanay, North Kazakhstan, Pavlodar, East Kazakhstan, and Kyzylorda regions.
Olzhas Bektenov noted that the Head of State attaches great importance to the development of the agricultural sector and strengthening the country's food security, emphasizing that the key condition for solving these problems is the high-quality conduct of spring field work.
«The constitutional reform of the Head of State is aimed at further modernizing the country, all sectors of the economy, and increasing the well-being of the population. In this regard, the strengthening of food security and reducing dependence on imports is becoming particularly relevant. The key task at the moment is the high-quality conduct of the sowing campaign», — emphasized the Prime Minister.
To this end, the Government has created all the necessary conditions: funding has been allocated, measures have been taken to provide farmers with equipment, discounted fuel, and other resources. At the same time, attention is focused on the need for strict compliance with agrotechnical requirements. This year, a plan has been set to apply 2.3 million tons of fertilizers and increase the share of elite seeds to 11.7%. The head of the Government noted that these indicators must be achieved in full. It is also important to ensure the timely conduct of measures to protect plants, diversify sown areas, and keep the supply and targeted use of discounted fuel under constant control.
Monitoring weather conditions is also important. In this regard, the Ministry of Ecology must provide farmers with up-to-date meteorological forecasts for making operational decisions.
Particular attention is paid to the issue of updating agricultural equipment and developing domestic machine building. It is noted that over the past three years, farmers have acquired about 70,000 units of new equipment, 90% of which are of domestic assembly. The Ministries of Agriculture, Industry, and the "Baiterek" holding have been instructed to continue working on increasing the share of new equipment and maximizing the stimulation of local production of agricultural machinery.
In addition, measures to develop the digitalization of the agro-industrial complex are being considered. It is noted that in the Address to the people of Kazakhstan, the Head of State made a special emphasis on the digitalization of the industry. The Prime Minister emphasized that digital tools should be applied at all stages of agricultural production - from planning and monitoring processes to accounting and implementation of finished products. The need to scale up successful practices of introducing digital solutions and AI in agriculture is also noted. It is also necessary to further fully utilize the potential of farms with significant land resources and maintain sustainable growth rates of the crop production industry.
Following the meeting, Olzhas Bektenov gave a number of specific instructions to state agencies.
First. The Ministry of Agriculture, together with the akimats and the "Baiterek" holding, should optimize the procedures for considering applications and providing discounted financing with maximum coverage of farmers. It is emphasized that agricultural producers should not face excessive administrative barriers, and all applications should be considered quickly and transparently.
In addition, in order to expand access to financial resources for farmers, the Ministries of Agriculture and Finance should provide a mechanism for revolving financing, replicating the experience of the North Kazakhstan region.
Second. Due to the risks of locust spread, the Ministry of Agriculture, together with the akims of the regions, has been instructed to ensure constant monitoring of the phytosanitary situation, conduct preventive and protective measures against pests, as well as update forecasts for the spread of locusts and strengthen interagency coordination for operational response.
Third. Taking into account the beginning of the vegetative period, the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, together with the interested state agencies, should take measures to ensure stable water supply to the southern regions.
«It is necessary to more actively introduce water-saving technologies in agriculture. Provide priority financing for regions with an increased risk of water deficit, implement a set of measures to stimulate farmers to switch to drip and sprinkler irrigation. In some southern districts, farmers' complaints about water shortages are recorded. It is necessary to work constantly on solving such issues», — emphasized the Prime Minister.
In general, the Ministry of Agriculture, together with the akimats of the regions, must ensure control over the timely completion of sowing work and the high-quality conduct of the entire summer agricultural season.
The overall coordination is assigned to the Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin.