President Highlights Priorities for Kazakhstan’s Agriculture Development – Astana Times

President Tokayev Outlines Priorities for Kazakhstan’s Agro-Industrial Complex

Introduction

President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev highlighted the key priorities for advancing Kazakhstan’s agro-industrial complex during the first Forum of Agricultural Workers. The President emphasized the importance of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the agricultural sector.

Kazakhstan’s Agricultural Achievements

Kazakhstan has achieved significant milestones in the agricultural sector. Despite the challenges faced this year, the country harvested a record 26.7 million tons of grain, ranking sixth globally in terms of arable land and pastures. Kazakhstan is also a leading exporter of wheat and flour. Additionally, the country has experienced a decrease in inflation and a positive economic growth rate.

Ensuring Food Security

President Tokayev emphasized that the agro-industrial complex should be a driving force for economic growth, with a primary focus on ensuring food security. This aligns with SDG 2: Zero Hunger.

Key Priorities for Advancing the Agro-Industrial Complex

Increasing Financing

President Tokayev identified chronic underfunding as a major challenge in the agricultural sector. However, this year, the government has significantly increased state spending on agriculture. Preferential loans for farmers have tripled to 580 billion tenge (US$1.1 billion), and this funding will further expand to 1.5 trillion tenge (US$3 billion) in the coming years. The President instructed the government to offer spring fieldwork loans in December and ensure transparent subsidy distribution to eliminate fraudulent practices.

Industrializing Agriculture

President Tokayev aims to increase the share of processed products in the agro-industrial complex to 70% within three years. To achieve this, plans are underway to build 116 modern dairy farms, 29 poultry farms, 11 egg farms, and six fattening sites for cattle. These initiatives contribute to SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.

Advancing Agricultural Science

President Tokayev highlighted the importance of agricultural science and set a goal to increase the share of domestically produced seeds to 80% by 2028, with 15% being elite seeds. He also instructed the government to establish a Horse Breeding Institute to focus on the selection and breeding of purebred horses. These efforts align with SDG 4: Quality Education.

Expanding Technology Use

The President addressed the insufficient use of mineral fertilizers in agriculture and announced projects worth $4 billion to produce seven million tons of mineral fertilizers. Kazakhstan aims to meet domestic demand and enter the export market. Additionally, the President encouraged the development of organic fertilizer production using sheep wool as a natural alternative. Digitizing agriculture is also a priority to improve competitiveness, reduce the shadow economy, and enhance public administration in the industry. These initiatives contribute to SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.

Modernizing Agricultural Machinery

President Tokayev emphasized the need to increase the level of agricultural machinery renewal to 8-10% per year. He urged the government to focus on increasing labor productivity, supporting small-unit assembly, localizing imported components, and creating jobs. These efforts align with SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.

Enhancing Export Potential

Kazakhstan has adopted a comprehensive plan to build and modernize storage facilities, adding 700,000 tons of capacity, to boost export capacity. Grain exports have resumed to various markets, including Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Turkmenistan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Afghanistan, and Iran. The country also plans to deliver grain to China, the European Union countries, and North Africa. The construction of a new grain terminal in the port of Kuryk will enhance sea transportation, and international corridors such as the North-South and the Trans-Caspian route will play a crucial role in meeting the growing food needs of new markets. These efforts contribute to SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators in the Article

1. SDGs Addressed or Connected to the Issues Highlighted in the Article

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
• SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

The article discusses various issues related to agriculture and economic growth, which are connected to the Sustainable Development Goals mentioned above.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified Based on the Article’s Content

• SDG 2.3: By 2030, double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers, in particular women, indigenous peoples, family farmers, pastoralists, and fishers.
• SDG 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading, and innovation, including through a focus on high-value-added and labor-intensive sectors.
• SDG 9.2: Promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and, by 2030, significantly raise industry’s share of employment and gross domestic product, in line with national circumstances, and double its share in least developed countries.
• SDG 12.3: By 2030, halve per capita global food waste at the retail and consumer levels and reduce food losses along production and supply chains, including post-harvest losses.
• SDG 17.6: Enhance North-South, South-South, and triangular regional and international cooperation on and access to science, technology, and innovation and enhance knowledge sharing on mutually agreed terms, including through improved coordination among existing mechanisms, in particular at the United Nations level, and through a global technology facilitation mechanism.

The article mentions specific targets related to agricultural productivity, economic productivity, industrialization, reduction of food waste, and international cooperation.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article to Measure Progress towards the Identified Targets

• Indicator for SDG 2.3: Agricultural productivity and income levels of small-scale food producers.
• Indicator for SDG 8.2: Share of high-value-added and labor-intensive sectors in the economy.
• Indicator for SDG 9.2: Industry’s share of employment and gross domestic product.
• Indicator for SDG 12.3: Per capita global food waste and reduction in food losses along production and supply chains.
• Indicator for SDG 17.6: North-South, South-South, and triangular regional and international cooperation on science, technology, and innovation.

The article implies the need to measure indicators related to agricultural productivity, economic sectors, food waste, and international cooperation.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: astanatimes.com