Ministry of Agriculture: record sugar beet harvest expected in 2024
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The results of the harvesting campaign were considered at the Government session chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov. The total harvesting area of agricultural crops this year totalled 23.3 million hectares, of which 16.7 million hectares are occupied by cereals and leguminous crops, primeminister.kz reports.
Minister of Agriculture Aidarbek Saparov noted that the harvesting of grain crops in the country has been completed, harvesting of maize for grain continues. Harvested 16.6 million hectares of grain and leguminous crops, which is 99.7% of the total harvested area. With an average yield of 16 c/ha, 26.5 million tonnes of grain have been threshed, up from 17.1 million tonnes last year.
High yields have been achieved due to favourable weather conditions and, of course, the results of proper application of agro-technologies, namely through the use of quality seeds, mineral fertilizers and effective plant protection," the minister said.
In the southern regions, high yields are observed in Kyzylorda and Turkestan regions, as well as in Zhetisu. Among the main grain-growing regions, the highest figures are in North Kazakhstan region: the average yield was 18.6 c/ha. In Akmola region the yield was 14.1 c/ha, and in Kostanay region - 14 c/ha.
In these regions, even medium-sized farms, strictly observing agrotechnical measures, received above-average yields. For example, in Zhambyl region of North Kazakhstan region the farm Ak-Zher 210 LLP obtained wheat yield of 42.5 c/ha, in Kostanay region Sarykol Agro LLP - 40 c/ha, and in Akmola region Svobodnoye LLP - 35 c/ha.
However, in the same regions there are farms that do not follow agro-technologies: they use poor quality seeds, do not apply fertilisers and poorly apply plant protection products, relying only on good weather conditions. As a result, their indicators were much lower than the average for their region. For example, in Kostanay region, Agro Zher LLP in Mendykara district got 5 c/ha of wheat, and in Akmola region, Donskoy Agro LLP in Zharkainsky district got 5.4 c/ha.
There are such cases in all regions. In this regard, I ask regional akims to pay special attention to explanatory work with farms, especially with those who do not follow the technology and rely only on the weather. Although the Government has created all conditions, starting from preferential financing and ending with diesel fuel. In addition, it is important to properly inform agricultural producers about counter obligations, which are introduced from 1 January 2025 and are aimed at increasing the volume of gross agricultural output," the Minister said.
Taking into account the completion of grain harvesting, agricultural machinery has been redeployed to the harvesting of oilseeds. Harvesting has been carried out on the area of 1.9 million hectares, which is 66% of the harvested area, gross harvest of oilseeds is 2.1 million tonnes with an average yield of 10.7 centners per hectare. The gross harvest of potatoes was 2.8 million tonnes with a yield of 236 c/ha. Vegetable crops were harvested 3.8 million tonnes with a yield of 309 c/ha. A record sugar beet harvest is expected this year. The crop has been harvested from an area of 10 thousand hectares, or 40%, with a yield of 540 c/ha; 549 thousand tonnes have been harvested. 432 thousand tonnes of sugar beet were delivered for processing. Rice harvesting was completed in full; yield was 57 c/ha, 562 thousand tonnes were harvested. Cotton was harvested from an area of 74 thousand hectares, or 69%, with a yield of 25 c/ha; 185 thousand tonnes were harvested.
Due to observance of agro-technologies on cotton, in particular due to use of modern systems of drip irrigation, the farm of "Turkistan makta agroөnerkәсіptіk keshenі" LLP in Turkestan region received high yield of 60 centners/ha, which is 2.5 times higher than the average yield in the region. Such experience should be massively spread among all cotton growers of Turkestan region.
The issue of preservation of new crop remains extremely important. The total storage capacity of grain in the republic is 30 million tonnes. Acceptance of grain to bread-receiving enterprises continues; 57% of the accepted grain corresponds to the 3rd class. Last year the share was 35 per cent.
Akimats of regions need to ensure round-the-clock acceptance of grain due to the need to bring grain to them for delivery to Prodkorporatsiya, export shipments and movement to other regions. All necessary conditions have been created for the work of elevators in round-the-clock mode. Thus, along with 362 thousand tonnes of discounted diesel fuel allocated for harvesting, 68 thousand tonnes of discounted diesel fuel have been additionally allocated for grain drying. In addition, 22 thousand tonnes of gas have been allocated for grain drying units operating on liquefied gas," Aidarbek Saparov said.
Prodkorporatsiya set purchase prices for wheat under the forward purchase programme depending on quality indicators. Taking into account the prolongation of last year's obligations and the terms of forward purchase of the current year, about 1.2 million tonnes of grain are expected to be delivered to the resources of Prodkorporatsiya. At the moment, only 239 thousand tonnes or 24% have been received. Akimats of regions should ensure control over timely delivery of grain to Prodkorporatsiya until 1 November.
The amount of funds allocated this year allowed to purchase all necessary material and commodity values for harvesting. On the instructions of Prime Minister and based on the requests of agrarians, the financing of applications for 2025 will begin in December 2024. This will ensure timely preparation for spring field work and will allow to start the new season without delays.
Given the high harvest, it is necessary to take effective measures for its marketing.
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Olzhas Bektenov and GE HealthCare head discuss project implementation on creation of medical equipment production in Kazakhstan
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Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov within the framework of the Kazakhstan Round Table on Global Investments held a meeting with the Regional President of GE HealthCare Costas Deligiannis. The progress of implementation of the previously signed agreement on the organisation of production of high-tech diagnostic medical equipment GE HealthCare in Kazakhstan was considered, primeminister.kz reports.
GE HealthCare, a subsidiary of the American transnational conglomerate General Electric, is one of the world leaders in the production of medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, as well as the implementation of digital solutions and data analytics systems.
The participants of the meeting discussed issues of localisation of production of advanced medical diagnostic equipment, plans to create a production site and the National Archive of Clinical Images in Kazakhstan. At the first stage of localisation it is planned to produce ultrasonic diagnostic devices and computer tomographs of the latest generation with further expansion of the range of equipment. The centralised archive of medical images will allow to create a Unified Digital Health Space, which will ensure security and proper storage of patients' medical data.
Olzhas Bektenov emphasised that one of the priorities of the Government is the creation of high-quality, accessible and modern medical infrastructure. The importance of introducing digital solutions in healthcare, modernisation and quality equipment of hospitals, training of qualified personnel was highlighted.
In turn, Kostas Deligiannis informed about the company's plans to expand its presence in the Kazakhstan market. Medical institutions of the country, including leading clinics, already uses more than 3 thousand units of GE HealthCare equipment. More than one hundred mammographs have been installed in the regions within the framework of the state oncological programme. At GE HealthCare sites 6 thousand Kazakhstani specialists have been trained.
At the end of the meeting, the parties confirmed their intention to cooperate closely in improving the healthcare system of Kazakhstan.
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Agricultural machinery production is forecast to grow to 300 billion tenge in 2025
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9 out of 10 purchased tractors and combines are assembled in Kazakhstan. This was reported at the Government session by the President of the Union of Industrial Investors Kairat Yelamanov, primeminister.kz reports.
According to him, the annual output of agricultural machinery is 263 billion tenge, forecasted to grow to 300 billion tenge in 2025.
The agricultural machinery industry produces tractors and combine harvesters at 8 enterprises, which already fully meet the annual demand of farmers for this equipment. More than 20 more enterprises are engaged in production of trailed and mounted agricultural machinery and equipment. Import dependence in this area is annually decreasing. As of today, welding, cutting, cutting, bending and painting operations are performed for each model of tractors, combines, as well as for mounted and trailed agricultural machinery. Welding and colouring of tractor cabs, as well as manufacturing of plastic parts for body elements of energy-intensive tractors have been mastered ahead of schedule. Next year, the manufacturers plan to master the production of grain hoppers, inclined chambers, choppers and combine harvester cabs.
The country's largest agricultural machinery localisation centre in Kostanai annually produces 25,000 units, assemblies, components and spare parts for agricultural machinery and automotive industry.
The decision to subsidise farmers when purchasing domestic agricultural machinery this year is already achieving an effect: the interest of foreign manufacturers in localisation will have a positive impact on the growth of production and increase the range of agricultural machinery. Now we are conducting substantive negotiations with foreign manufacturers on localisation of previously imported equipment at the existing sites. This will increase both production volume and jobs in 2025. It is planned to localise AMAZONE sowing machinery, ZOOMLION tractors, SAMPO combines.
Next year, it is planned to allocate 200 billion tenge for preferential leasing of agricultural machinery for farmers at 4-5%. If even half of the funds were allocated in Kazagrofinance JSC from January, before the beginning of sowing works, and the second half in June, before the beginning of harvesting works, then two industries in the country - agro-industrial complex and agricultural machinery - would be guaranteed to work for the development of the country's economy," Kairat Yelamanov said.
The issue of tractor exports remains important, he said. However, the problem is the non-integrated systems of electronic passports of self-propelled machines between Kazakhstan and Russia. Data exchange is already taking place with Belarus.
Another, no less promising area of industry is the production of household appliances. The main enterprises of the new industry are located in the cities of Saran and Almaty. This year about 200 thousand units of household appliances have been produced at the capacities of three enterprises. It is planned to increase the volumes by the end of the year.
This year's amendments to the Tax Code on VAT allowed us to establish a clear procedure for the sale of products along the entire chain from the manufacturer to the end customer. We managed not only to attract the world's leading companies for production, but also to reduce the price for buyers of equipment. At the moment we have already mastered operations on moulding of plastic parts of TV sets and water heaters, billetting, welding, enamelling and painting of parts of ovens, washing machines, cookers and hoods, as well as manufacturing of packaging," Kairat Yelamanov said.
In the coming years, it is planned to master the production of printed circuit board and stamping of metal products.
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Kazakhstan to export domestic vehicles to Afghanistan
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Kazakhstan is to look into the possibility of exporting domestic vehicles to Afghanistan on the proposal of the Afghan side, Deputy Prime Minister Serik Zhumangarin said during the Kazakhstan-Afghanistan Business Forum, Kazinform News Agency correspondent reports.
There are plans to localize and open dealer centers to service vehicles in Afghanistan.
Another topical issue on the agenda of our cooperation is the implementation of joint projects in Afghanistan on geological exploration as well as extraction and processing of solid mineral resources, said Zhumangarin.
Kazakhstan held talks with ERG Exploration, Kazakhmys Barlau, Kazatomprom, engaged in a full cycle of geological exploration prospecting, discussing the realization of joint projects in extraction of copper, iron and gold.
Our country stands ready to share its competences and expertise and to send its exploration companies to create a sustainable mining sector in Afghanistan, said the Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister.
Earlier it was reported that the trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Afghanistan reached 330.7 million US dollars in 8 months of the present year, with Kazakhstani exports amounting to 316.5 million US dollars.
Flour and wheat account for over 80% of the total exports of Kazakhstan to Afghanistan. In its turn, Kazakhstan imports mineral waters, fruits and spices from Afghanistan. Kazakh Deputy Minister Tasszhurekov pointed out that the countries can increase the mutual trade turnover to up to 1 billion US dollars through a close cooperation between their businesses.
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