Kazakhstan's Minister of Agriculture Urges Farmers to Avoid Seasonal Employment
During a meeting with farmers in the Karaganda region, Aidarbek Saparov stated that agricultural enterprises should focus not only on production indicators but also on employment, social infrastructure, and living conditions in villages. The minister urged moving away from a model where workers are hired only for the agricultural season and towards creating opportunities for year-round employment.
Saparov reported that 10 million hectares of grain and leguminous crops have been harvested nationwide, which accounts for 63.9% of the total area. 14 million tons of grain have been threshed. On the same date last year, harvesting was conducted on 6.7 million hectares, with a yield of 9.5 million tons.
In the Karaganda region, farmers harvested 646,000 hectares of grain and leguminous crops, or 71.4% of the area. Additionally, 197,000 tons of potatoes and 63,000 tons of vegetables were collected in the region.
One of the topics discussed was the availability of financing for agricultural producers. Under the 'Keng dala' program, 233 farmers received 15.6 billion tenge for spring fieldwork and harvesting; these funds covered more than 182,000 hectares of crops. In the framework of preferential leasing, 866 contracts were concluded for the supply of 925 units of agricultural machinery with a total value of 18.2 billion tenge.
Under the North Kazakhstan Region experience dissemination program, the Karaganda region fully utilized 7 billion tenge. These funds financed four projects related to the development of irrigation and the construction of dairy farms.
During the visit, the minister visited LLP 'Shakhterskoye', a city-forming enterprise in the village of Shakhterskoye. The farm is an elite seed production enterprise for potato seeds, an originator of grain crop seeds, and develops an Angus beef cattle reproduction center. The company is implementing projects for the agricultural use of 1,792 hectares of irrigated land and the construction of a vegetable storage facility with a capacity of 15,000 tons. The company's investments in fixed assets exceeded 5 billion tenge in 2025.
Georgy Prokop, the head of 'Shakhterskoye', stated that investment subsidies and preferential loans enable the farm to update equipment, develop irrigation, build storage facilities, and expand production capacities. Saparov particularly noted the importance of irrigated areas and modern storage facilities for food security. Participants of the meeting also asked questions about state support measures, financing, and the implementation of investment projects.
