The issues of preparation for the spring field work were considered at the Government session chaired by the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Alikhan Smailov.

As reported by the Minister of Agriculture Yerbol Karashukeyev, the total sowing area this year will be 23.4 million hectares, which is 68.6 thousand hectares more than the indicator in 2022. In particular, it is planned to increase seeding grain and leguminous crops by 117 thousand hectares, fodder crops by 36.5 thousand hectares, sunflower by 30.8 thousand hectares, melons and potatoes by 11.1 thousand hectares, sugar beet by 6.7 thousand hectares.

According to the operational data of the regional akimats, the agrarians formed a seed fund in the amount of 2.4 million tons in the regions also prepared seed stocks in the warehouses. Herewith 55 thousand tons of fertilizers were shipped to farmers, including 27 thousand tons to southern regions.

The Minister of Energy Bolat Akchulakov reported that 413 thousand tons of diesel fuel at preferential cost by 15-20% below the market price were allocated for spring field work. A corresponding schedule of fuel production for the refineries has been approved and measures have been taken to ensure the transparency of its transportation. The issue is under constant control of the Ministry of Energy and KazMunayGas company.

Akims of Zhambyl region Nurzhan Nurzhigitov and Zhetysu region Beibit Issabayev, as well as First Deputy Akim of Akmola region Malgazhdar Tatkeyev informed about readiness of regions for sowing campaign.

Having heard the speakers, the Prime Minister stressed that all necessary measures had been taken to ensure the spring field work. In particular, subsidized diesel fuel is allocated, financing of forward purchase and subsidies is planned. A total of 140 billion tenge is envisaged for the upcoming campaign.

"The state support provided requires fulfillment of certain conditions on the part of farmers. It is strict compliance with agricultural technologies, timely introduction of fertilizers and plant protection products," Alikhan Smailov said.

The Head of Government stressed that the volume of fertilizers in the republic is only 26% of the scientific need. At the same time there are 12 plants for the production of fertilizers in the country, and the state subsidizes the purchase of such products by farmers.

"It is necessary to orient all these productions first of all to the domestic market. According to experts, due to lack of mineral fertilizers on the fields, our farmers annually underharvest about 10 million tons of high-quality wheat. This is almost half of the harvest," he pointed out.

At the same time, according to Prime Minister, there are losses from soil degradation and contamination of fields with weeds. In addition, the mechanisms to reduce the area of water-intensive crops have not been sufficiently worked out, the correct explanatory work among farmers has not been carried out, no alternative options for further activities have been proposed. In this regard, the Ministry of Agriculture in conjunction with other government agencies and regional Akimats instructed to intensify work in this direction.

Head of the Government pointed out that there should also be special control in terms of distribution of diesel fuel at a discount. 

"We must not allow speculation and the creation of an artificial shortage. The strictest measures should be taken in relation to the operators who sell diesel fuel distributed to the side," Alikhan Smailov emphasized.

According to him, it is necessary to create a database of agricultural producers in the territorial context with data on the total area of cultivated land and the need for fuel and lubricants.

In conclusion, the Prime Minister indicated the need to take measures to organize phytosanitary measures, work on the introduction of fertilizers, provision of the southern regions of the republic with irrigation water, as well as sowing the necessary amount of socially important and forage crops.