At the Government session chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, progress in preparations for the spring fieldwork campaign was reviewed in light of the tasks set by the Head of State. Reports were delivered by Minister of Agriculture Aidarbek Saparov, Minister of Energy Yerlan Akkenzhenov, Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation Nurzhan Nurzhigitov, as well as heads of key grain-producing regions.

The Prime Minister noted that, in accordance with the instructions given by the President at the expanded Government meeting on February 10 of this year, all necessary conditions have been created to ensure a high-quality agricultural season.

“As last year, the volume of financing for sowing and harvesting operations has been maintained at 1 trillion tenge, including 300 billion tenge allocated for machinery leasing. Thanks to the support of the Head of State, significant funds have been allocated for the third consecutive year. Farmers will also be provided with 402 thousand tons of preferential fuel,” Olzhas Bektenov stated.

He emphasized the need for the Ministry of Energy to promptly approve the maximum preferential price for diesel fuel for spring fieldwork. The Ministry was also instructed, together with the Ministry of Agriculture and regional administrations, to ensure strict control over the supply of subsidized fuel in established volumes. Regional administrations must provide complete and updated data on operators within one week. The strictest measures must be taken by law enforcement agencies against those allowing misuse of allocated fuel.

The importance of targeted state support was also highlighted, noting that it must be provided exclusively to efficient and responsible farmers. Attention was given to continuing the diversification of crop areas and expanding the production of high-margin crops, primarily export-oriented and in high market demand. During sowing operations, farmers must strictly comply with agrotechnical requirements, ensure timely application of fertilizers, and use plant protection products — these measures are key to achieving strong yields. For the current year, the fertilizer application plan exceeds 73% of the scientifically justified norm, amounting to 2.3 million tons. The Ministries of Agriculture and Industry must ensure that farmers are supplied with high-quality and affordable fertilizers in the required volumes, with priority given to domestically produced fertilizers.

The readiness of agricultural machinery currently stands at around 80%. Olzhas Bektenov instructed that this figure be increased to 100% before the start of mass sowing operations. Regional administrations must ensure constant monitoring of the targeted use of allocated funds, with maximum application of digital technologies. They must also continue explanatory work on transitioning farmers to drought-resistant technologies using advanced scientific approaches.

Following the meeting, the Prime Minister issued several instructions:

1. Transition from paper-based loan applications to digital formats
   The Prime Minister instructed the Ministry of Agriculture, together with the Ministry of Digital Development and Baiterek Holding, to simplify the technical procedure for preferential lending and fully digitize the process to ensure effective and transparent state support for farmers.

2. Control over subsidized fuel supplies
   The Ministries of Energy and Agriculture, along with regional administrations, must ensure strict control over subsidized fuel deliveries in established volumes. Regional administrations must provide complete and updated data on operators within one week. The strictest measures must be applied against those misusing allocated fuel.

3. Irrigation water supply during the vegetation period
   Farmers should be encouraged to transition to drip and sprinkler irrigation systems and accelerate the implementation of water-saving technologies. Regional administrations in northern and eastern regions must conduct snow retention and moisture accumulation measures.

4. Rapid response to changing weather conditions
   The Ministry of Ecology was instructed to provide farmers with timely meteorological forecasts to enable advance planning of sowing periods and prompt response to weather changes.

5. Fulfillment of indicators to increase agro-industrial output
   Regional administrations must ensure achievement of targets to double gross agro-industrial output during the sowing campaign.

“I instruct the Ministry of Agriculture and regional akims to maintain special control over the timely execution of spring fieldwork,” Olzhas Bektenov emphasized.

Overall coordination has been assigned to Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin.

#Olzhas Bektenov #Agriculture #Government session #Spring field work

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