Within the framework of the State Program for the AIC Development for 2017-2021, a number of effective measures were taken to improve the quality of domestic grain. This was said by the First Vice Minister of Agriculture Kairat Aituganov during a briefing in the press center of the Government.

Kairat Aituganov reported that due to unfavorable weather conditions and the development of cereal diseases in recent years, there has been a decline in grain quality. Also, due to the abolition of subsidizing elite seeds in 2014 and setting minimum standards for their subsidization, farmers have ceased to acquire quality seeds, since the subsidies paid at minimal rates did not cover their expenses.

To remedy this situation, a number of systemic measures were adopted this year, more specifically: subsidies for original and elite seeds were restored, minimum standards for seed subsidies were eliminated, seed financing was increased twofold - from 3.7 billion to 7.2 billion tenge in the framework of the same budget through a review of priorities.

As a result, in 2017 seeding with quality seeds was increased by 1.5 times. The use of elite seeds has grown by 68%, and of low-quality seeds has decreased 1.6 times.

As the First Vice Minister noted, this year the crops were sown on 22.1 million hectares. Of these, cereals occupied an area of ​​15.2 million hectares. If 12 million hectares were allocated for wheat, then barley was sown on an area of ​​1.9 million hectares. In general, the yield on grain crops is 12.6 million tons. According to forecasts, the gross yield will be about 19.2 million tons.

"Today, the price for the sale of barley is set. It is 37 thousand tenge per ton. The volume of barley, which is planned to sell the corporation, this year will be 200 thousand tons. The corporation will also buy wheat of 3, 4, 5 class. We will say the prices closer by September 1," K. Aituganov said.

In turn, the analysis of the material and technical base of seed farms revealed the need to update 370 units of seed equipment. In order to radically improve the situation in the investment subsidy program, an increase in the standard of cost recovery for seed equipment to 50% is envisaged from 2018, now it is 25%. This will allow a full renewal of seed equipment in the next three years.

Also, the First Vice Minister focused on the application of fertilizers. The former fertilizer subsidy mechanisms did not stimulate their introduction in the required amount. And as a consequence, the application did not exceed an average of 10% of the demand. In this connection, since 2017, a new fertilizer subsidy scheme has been introduced, setting specific standards in absolute terms.

For today, 309 thousand tons of fertilizers were purchased, which is the most of the volume of 2016, it was 261 thousand tons. At the end of the year, fertilizer application for the first time in the last few years will amount to 14% of the demand.