Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin paid a working visit to Ulytau Region. During the visit, he inspected the progress of construction of agro-industrial complex facilities and held a meeting with local farmers.

The meeting discussed the current state of agriculture and pressing issues faced by agricultural producers. Since the region’s establishment, 4 investment projects worth 3 billion tenge have been implemented with investor participation. Work is underway on new investment projects, including the creation of an agro-industrial cluster with Times Agro Holding and the construction of a dairy farm for 500 head in Zhezkazgan in partnership with Samga Agro.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture Amangaliy Berdalin informed participants about opportunities for preferential lending under the Comprehensive Livestock Development Plan launched in 2026. Taking into account the region’s natural conditions, the Deputy Minister emphasized the rational use of pasture lands for the development of distant-pasture livestock breeding. For this purpose, a unified credit product “Zhailyau” is being launched, which provides financing for pasture watering, purchase of mobile wagons, and other related expenses.

During the meeting, farmers raised several practical issues. Head of the “Kengir” peasant farm Ardak Nurzhanov highlighted difficulties with warranty servicing of agricultural machinery leased through “KazAgroFinance” due to the absence of service centers in the region. The Deputy Prime Minister instructed KazAgroFinance to organize on-site work by company representatives, and the Ministry of Industry and Construction, together with the Association of Kazakhstani Automotive Manufacturers, to work on opening service centers and ensuring the availability of in-demand agricultural machinery in Zhezkazgan.

The issue of protecting crops from saigas was also raised. It was noted that this year, protection of agricultural lands will continue with the involvement of specialists and equipment. The introduction of insurance mechanisms is also under consideration.

Director of “Samga” LLP Abay Baidilda raised issues related to infrastructure development — supplying water and electricity for irrigation projects and dairy farms. Particular attention was drawn to the insufficient study of groundwater reserves needed for the development of irrigated agriculture. In this regard, the akimat, together with the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation, was instructed to explore the possibility of conducting geological surveys and assessing water resources.

Summing up the meeting, the Deputy Prime Minister noted that Ulytau Region, as a new region, faces a number of systemic challenges. The Government will continue to provide comprehensive support for the development of agriculture and business in the region.

Immediately after the meeting with farmers, the Deputy Prime Minister held a meeting on the region’s budgetary provision for the current year and the planned period of 2027–2029. Particular attention was paid to measures to reduce the region’s lag in the Regional Standards System (RSS). According to the RSS, Ulytau Region has the lowest level of basic infrastructure provision in the country.

During the working trip, the Deputy Prime Minister inspected the construction progress of the Kengir AGRO agro-industrial complex, which specializes in livestock breeding and fodder crop cultivation. To date, the administrative and household complex has already been built. This year, the launch of an irrigation system on 500 hectares is planned, of which 150 hectares will be used for potatoes and the rest for fodder crops. The company intends to implement the Australian model of livestock breeding using distant pastures. Cattle breeding farms have already been established in 14 rural districts. Plans include participation in the “Igilik” and “Bereke” programs for the purchase of breeding stock, as well as the construction of a 400-head dairy farm at the final stage.

Serik Zhumangarin visited the construction of the region’s first wholesale distribution center with a vegetable storage facility owned by “Samadi A Group” LLP with a capacity of 15,000 tons. The facility is scheduled to be commissioned in autumn this year. The company, together with Baiterek Holding and the Agrarian Credit Corporation, will also develop a project for meat processing and production of sausage and canned products in the region.

#Economy #Regions #Serik Zhumangarin

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