The number of equipment for locust field treatment has doubled. Additionally, to enhance accessibility for agricultural producers and service providers in chemical treatments, 25% of the cost of the purchased ground spraying equipment and drones will be reimbursed. Relevant changes have already been made to the investment subsidy rules by the Ministry of Agriculture.
As stated by Deputy Minister of Agriculture Ermek Kenzhekhаnuly, if in 2024, 247 units were utilized for chemical treatments, in 2025, it is planned to double that number to 443 units. This includes 46 agricultural drones purchased by the Ministry of Agriculture for the regional divisions of the state enterprise "Phytosanitary." Additionally, there are 7 surveying drones.
“Following the successful pilot project in the Turkestan region, where field spraying with agricultural drones and centralized procurement of services for pesticide procurement, transportation, storage, and actual treatments were tested last spring, the Ministry of Agriculture has already implemented a unified service procurement for conducting phytosanitary activities across all regions based on the principle of ‘One supplier – all works.’ This makes it attractive for businesses to participate in the procurement of these services and increases accountability for results. Moreover, we have created favorable conditions for farmers and service providers in chemical treatments regarding the reimbursement of 25% of the cost of agricultural drones, ground fan, and boom sprayers,” said Ermek Kenzhekhаnuly.
During the meeting, the progress of regional preparations for spring fieldwork was also discussed. As part of early financing, which began on November 29, 2024, 70 billion tenge has been allocated to 671 agricultural producers out of a total of 100 billion tenge. Farmers in grain-producing regions have actively utilized this tool: Akmolinskaya (15.4 billion tenge), Kostanay (14.9 billion tenge), and North Kazakhstan regions (14.5 billion tenge). In contrast, in the southern regions – Turkestan, Zhambyl, and Zhetysu, where spring planting begins earlier, the pool of applications totals only 10 billion tenge.
According to preliminary information from the regions, the readiness of agricultural machinery for spring fieldwork across the republic currently stands at approximately 56%. With a seed requirement for the harvest set at 2.3 million tons, the filling rate is 99%.
As a result of the meeting, Serik Zhumanгарin instructed to revise the structure of sown areas to reduce wheat planting volumes and increase oilseeds and other high-margin crops. He also directed to maximize the areas sown with elite seeds of Kazakh selection, which showed the best results in the 2024 harvest.
Next Wednesday, Serik Zhumanгарin plans to visit one of the southern regions to familiarize himself with the preparation progress for spring fieldwork and discuss the development of the real sector of the economy.
As previously reported, on December 30, 2024, the Deputy Prime Minister visited the Karaganda region, where he stated that the work of the Ministry of National Economy would focus on regional activities.