Actual issues of the harvesting campaign were considered at the Government session chaired by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Alikhan Smailov. 

Minister of Agriculture Aidarbek Saparov reported that the harvesting area of grain and leguminous crops in the current year is 17.3 million hectares. To date, 6.9 million hectares, that is 40%, have been harvested in the country. With an average yield of 9.5 c/ha, 6.6 million tons of grain have been threshed. Last year on the same date 11.6 million hectares or 72.8% were harvested.

It was noted that the sowing campaign was held in optimal agricultural terms, summer weather conditions were within normal limits in most parts of the country. Before harvesting, the readiness of machinery is 100% ensured, shipment of subsidized fuel and lubricants began on schedule. However, prolonged rains in the main grain-growing regions, which lasted for more than 3 weeks, made their own adjustments, which led to deterioration of grain quality, its germination, as well as low yields of grain crops in general.

In all regions affected by weather conditions, working commissions have been established to determine the scale of consequences with the inclusion of all interested bodies and organizations. As of today, a visit to all affected regions has been made and the progress of harvesting works has been analyzed. According to akimats, sprouted grain is observed on 2.7 million hectares - 15% of the total harvesting area. At present, machinery has massively entered the fields in all regions, harvesting works have continued.

Akim of Akmola region Marat Akhmetzhanov, Deputy Akim of Kostanay region Yerlan Spanov and First Deputy Akim of North Kazakhstan region Marat Tasmaganbetov made reports on the situation in the main grain-growing regions.

Prime Minister emphasized that the progress of harvesting works is under constant control of the Government.

"As you know, this year is not easy for agrarians. Summer drought was replaced by heavy rains in the fall. Of course, this affects the yield and the pace of harvesting. Nevertheless, all necessary measures were taken to provide financial and logistical support for the harvesting campaign. In the grain-growing regions no heavy rains are forecasted until the end of the month. We have to meet this deadline," Alikhan Smailov said. 

He reminded that due to bad weather in a number of northern regions, the Head of State instructed the Government to provide assistance to farmers and peasant farms engaged in grain production. 

"The Ministry of Energy will be allocated an additional volume of diesel fuel for grain drying. Baiterek Holding is in the process of restructuring loan debts, as well as the prolongation of commodity credit through Prodkorporatsiya without penalties for farmers affected by adverse weather conditions. Weather conditions will be recognized as force majeure. It is necessary to make payment of subsidies in full," Prime Minister emphasized. 

Prime Minister demanded to ensure round-the-clock acceptance of the harvest by bread-receiving points and enterprises providing services for drying grain. At the same time, he pointed out the need to take measures to prevent overcharging.

At the same time Prime Minister instructed to ensure the allocation of additional diesel fuel for grain drying at a reduced price - 250 tenge per liter, to work on the allocation of additional funds for subsidizing the agro-industrial complex, in particular, to work on increasing the authorized capital of "Prodkorporatsiya" for direct purchase of food and fodder grain of the new harvest.

"Today we are adopting a resolution on the allocation of funds from the reserve of the Government to compensate farmers of Zhambyl region. The Ministry of Finance and Akimat need to ensure prompt payment to the affected agrarians of the region," Alikhan Smailov said. 

Along with this, Prime Minister demanded to organize timely delivery of grain trucks and not to allow queues on the railway tracks.

"Our task is a qualitative completion of harvesting," he concluded.

#The Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan #Agriculture #Agroindustrial complex #Government session