Lely Expands Its Presence in Central Asia
Tell us about your company.
— Lely is a family company founded in 1948, and fr om the very beginning, we have been driven by innovation. At one time, we held over 10,000 active patents across various sectors, but we eventually focused exclusively on agriculture and dairy production. In 1992, Lely became the world’s first company to launch a fully functional milking robot—Astronaut A2. A few years later, we introduced groundbreaking technologies such as the feed pusher Juno and the robotic feed dispenser Vector. Our core focus is on automating and robotizing dairy farming to enhance productivity and simplify farmers’ work.
Why did Lely decide to enter the Central Asian market, and what prospects do you see here?
— We discovered that Kazakhstan is actively promoting dairy farming due to a significant shortage of locally produced milk. This creates favorable conditions for the introduction of our technologies. We see enormous potential in automating dairy production in Kazakhstan, and given that our office is already successfully operating in Uzbekistan, we also have the opportunity to expand our presence throughout Central Asia.
Which products and solutions will Lely prioritize promoting in Central Asia?
— Our priority is to promote our milking robot, Astronaut A5, along with our Juno system, both of which significantly improve milking efficiency. In addition, we offer cow brushes like Luna, calf feeding stations such as Calm, Discovery robots for cleaning manure off floors, and our robotic feeder Vector. These technologies have already proven effective on the global market and will help local farmers optimize their processes.
What contribution can Lely’s technology make to the development of dairy farming and agriculture in this region?
— Our technologies substantially reduce labor costs, provide precise control over animal health, and improve milk quality through optimized production processes. The automated systems enable real-time data collection, which helps in making informed management decisions and drives sustainable growth across farms.
What features of the regional market have you already observed, and how does it differ from other markets wh ere Lely operates?
— The Central Asian market is unique due to its diverse climatic zones, which create opportunities to tailor our technologies to different conditions. While the mindset of farmers here may differ from that in other countries, the everyday challenges they face are quite similar. For instance, Kazakhstan can be divided into western, northern, and southern regions—each with its own climate and cultural characteristics—requiring a customized approach to implementing our solutions.
Does Lely plan to collaborate with local agricultural producers and educational institutions to train and upskill specialists?
— Absolutely. We are actively exploring partnerships with local producers and educational institutions, especially in the southern regions of the country, to organize training programs and master classes. Such collaborations will enhance the skill level of professionals and ensure the effective use of our technologies locally.
What support will Lely provide to farmers after they purchase your equipment?
— Lely is committed to providing comprehensive technical support throughout the entire lifecycle of our equipment, which is at least 20 years. We offer extensive operator training, regular software updates, and ongoing consultation services to help farmers maximize the efficiency of our technologies and boost the profitability of their operations.
What are the long-term goals for Lely’s Central Asian representation, and what market changes do you hope to see as a result of your work?
— Our goal is to become the leading provider of automated dairy farming solutions in Central Asia. We want the Lely brand to be synonymous with innovation and efficiency, and for our technologies to significantly enhance the productivity and quality of local farms. In the long term, we hope to see widespread adoption of robotic systems on dairy farms, creating a sustainable, high-tech agricultural ecosystem in Central Asia.
