Tokayev held a meeting on agriculture issues

In his state-of-the-nation address to the people of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev referred to the existing teething problems in the agro-industrial complex and set out the tasks for the Government and local executive authorities.

In particular, the President accentuated the need to increase labour productivity by shifting to highly profitable crops (lentils, flax, and soya) with high stable demand worldwide. According to him, organic produce should be boosted and cutting-edge agricultural technology and innovations should be integrated.

“The Government needs to take far-reaching measures to strengthen agrochemical services, ensure the affordability of herbicides, mineral fertilizers and elite seeds,” the President said.

The Head of State directed the Government to address mediocre service performances of agricultural machinery through exploring localization capacities.

The critical challenge is to improve soil fertility through mineralization bearing in mind the experience gained in worldwide practice. To that end, Tokayev directed to build ready licence plants across the country to produce fertilizers and pesticides by attracting foreign investors.

The President noted the importance of completing an inventory for land, the digitalization of the land register and the transition to space-based monitoring of the use of land.

The report placed great emphasis on the issues related to the rearing of livestock. The Head of State sees promise in developing the production of mutton, poultry, lamb, dairy and the promotion of livestock exports. In order to do so, the Government should ask themselves why the price for feed is high.

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev pointed out that protectionist policies stood in the way of Kazakh processed products. As such, the President tasked to promote domestic commodities by swift reaction to any changes in overseas partners.

The President dwelled on the development of domestic agrarian science, the current staff capacity of which has dropped considerably.

“Only 20% of the members of the National centre for agrarian science and education are with scientific degrees. Therefore, a pool of young, up-and-coming scientists in the agrarian area should be established,” Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said.

The Head of State also underlined the necessity to develop so-called stronghold villages, where 85% of the rural population reside. According to him, such villages must be provided with infrastructure facilities, including roads, communications and internet, modern education, health, culture and sport premises.

To promote mass sport in rural areas the President directed to set up 100 physical culture and sports facilities in the next 3 years, with 22 being slated for commissioning this year.

Concluding the meeting the Kazakh President outlined the need for systematic measures to raise the well-being of rural people.

“Agricultural enterprises, including large ones, must engage in improving the life standards of the rural population using the principles of public-private partnership,” the President concluded.