Astana (TDI): Kazakhstan has achieved a record grain harvest this year, with 23.3 million hectares of crops, including 16.7 million hectares of grain, cultivated across the country.
In a government meeting chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, Agriculture Minister Aidarbek Saparov said that 26.5 million tons of grain had been threshed, with fieldwork 99.7% complete.
Bektenov emphasized the importance of ensuring grain supplies to traditional markets in Central Asia and Afghanistan, while also targeting new export destinations such as Brazil, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Pakistan.
The government aims to export approximately 12 million tons of grain from the current harvest.
In addition, the Kazakh government has allocated a record 580 billion tenge (US$1.2 billion) in preferential financing for the agricultural sector, with plans to increase this amount to 700 billion tenge (US$1.4 billion) by 2025.
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About 120 billion tenge (US$246.7 million) have been set aside for leasing agricultural machinery, along with provisions for high-quality seeds and fertilizers, contributing to high yields across all crop types.
Kazakhstan is also expected to harvest a record 1.2 million tons of sugar beet this year.
Bektenov highlighted the urgency of preserving and managing the harvest, instructing the Ministry of Agriculture and regional administrations to ensure timely removal of grain, proper storage, and smooth operation of grain elevators.
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He stressed the importance of maintaining quality through strict phytosanitary controls and ensuring full seeding for next year’s harvest.
