Kazakhstan has reached a record volume of preferential lending to the agricultural sector, which has increased more than threefold to 580 billion tenge. Plans are in place to increase financing for the agro-industrial complex to 700 billion tenge next year. This was announced during an extended meeting of Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov with representatives of domestic agricultural enterprises. The meeting addressed industry support, the progress of the harvesting campaign, and measures to achieve the goals outlined by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in his state-of-the-nation address.
«President Tokayev’s state-of-the-nation address outlines specific tasks for developing agriculture, enhancing productivity, and ensuring year-round employment for the rural population, as well as providing efficient and transparent sector financing. This work should be conducted in close cooperation between the state and business to achieve significant results,» Bektenov said.
The Prime Minister noted that starting next year, domestic farmers will be able to receive cheaper loans directly from financial institutions. A large-scale agricultural census will be conducted in 2025 to prevent the inefficient use of funds allocated by the state. This will enable updated data on land and crop areas, livestock, agricultural machinery, and infrastructure. The meeting also discussed the progress of the harvesting campaign. The total area of crops in the country exceeds 23 million hectares, with 68 percent of grain and leguminous crops already harvested. Farmers are also expecting high sugar beet yields, nearly double last year’s figures.
«Last year, we planted 7,000 hectares of sugar beets, and this year we have already sown almost 14,000 hectares, doubling our figures in just one year. Sugar factories will be fully supplied with sugar beet, which is the main raw material. The question at hand is the need for another sugar factory, as farmers have received substantial support from the state. As a farmer, I believe this is one of the key issues,» entrepreneur Alexander Khilnichenko said.
Bektenov instructed that
the harvesting campaign be completed within optimal timeframes, ensuring the
preservation of the harvest and facilitating the sale of products. He also
highlighted the importance of exploring new export opportunities to the EU, North
Africa, and Southeast Asia.
