At a Government session chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov, the digitalization of the livestock and veterinary sectors was discussed. Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry Zhaslan Madiev delivered the main report.

As part of the modernization of the agro-industrial complex (AIC), attention is being paid to expanding access to public services. Currently, citizens and organizations can access 93 services in livestock and veterinary fields, 51 of which are available online. In 2024 alone, 5.9 million services were provided—86% of them electronically.

The most in-demand services in livestock farming include those related to pedigree livestock development, livestock data updates, and the assignment of identification numbers to facilities. In veterinary medicine, key services include the issuance of passports, certificates, and export-related documents.

Most requests are related to the processing of mandatory documentation required to conduct business and comply with veterinary standards when transporting products.

To improve service efficiency, a reengineering of key business processes is underway. Thirty-one processes have been analyzed. A standout example is the livestock identification process. Previously, it was hindered by manual data entry, duplication of records, delays in ear tag distribution, and lack of system access for private veterinarians. After reengineering, the process has become digital, mobile, and automated. A mobile app for veterinarians and livestock owners has been introduced, along with automated data capture and digital veterinary passports. This has reduced the number of procedural steps by 80% and eased the administrative burden, making the system more transparent and farmer-friendly.

One of the most prominent projects is the development of a domestic smart tracker and animal health monitoring system. Using sensors, farmers can monitor animal health in real time and prevent disease. The system tracks feeding activity, body temperature, physical exertion, and other metrics. It has already been introduced in three regions and could serve as a foundation for digitizing veterinary services, livestock insurance, and targeted financing in the AIC.

Madiev stressed that these measures address global food security challenges. He noted that the agro-industrial sector is entering a phase of active transformation, with digitalization, precision technologies, and veterinary infrastructure at its core.

In this context, global trends were presented as benchmarks for Kazakhstan’s reform. One such trend is the automation of livestock operations. The Minister pointed out that modern technologies are transforming farm management, improving oversight, productivity, and biosecurity. In 2024, the global market for digital animal monitoring reached $4.4 billion and is projected to grow to $8.5 billion by 2030. Technologies such as RFID tags and sensors allow real-time health tracking, early disease detection, and effective herd management.

Digitalization is further advancing through precision livestock farming, which includes automated feeding and watering systems, climate control, and AI-powered behavior analysis. These technologies can increase productivity by 10–25% and reduce costs by up to 15%. Additionally, drones and satellites are being used for pasture monitoring. The global precision livestock market could approach $8 billion by 2029.

Alongside technological updates in livestock farming, the veterinary field is also evolving, playing a critical role in both animal and human health. The global veterinary market has reached $131 billion and is projected to grow to $233 billion by 2034. Key innovations include veterinary telemedicine, mobile clinics for remote areas, and digital vaccination and medication tracking. For example, the EU operates the TRACES system, which monitors all veterinary drugs and disease outbreaks.

Special attention was also given to animal welfare, which is viewed not only from an ethical perspective but also an economic one. According to EuroTier 2024, farms that meet welfare standards report better outcomes—lower mortality, higher productivity, and improved milk and meat quality. Measures include comfort systems, reduced transport stress, and animal-friendly farm design.

In conclusion, Zhaslan Madiev proposed several steps to advance the industry further. These include the creation of a unified information system for livestock and veterinary data, integrating information from farmers to ministries. This would enable faster decision-making and improve transparency across the sector. He also emphasized the implementation of smart farms featuring automated milking, feeding, climate control, video surveillance, and animal health monitoring. All data will be consolidated into a single digital system, enabling digital livestock profiling, rapid risk response, and reduced human error.

Thus, the digitalization of livestock farming is poised to become a cornerstone of sustainable agricultural development and a safeguard for national food security.

#Agriculture #Agroindustrial complex #Digitalization #Government session

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