INTERNATIONAL TRENDS
The green future of Kazakhstan
By Ruediger Claas A
s sustainability takes center stage around the world, it’s not enough to produce greater yields faster; it has to be achieved
responsibly. That becomes even more important when talking about a country poised to become the most important agricultural hub in Central Asia. The government of Kazakhstan has increased subsidies in recent years to attract investment in its agricultural sector, to become more sustainable and improve resource conservation. Their plans include introducing modern technologies and irrigation innovations to local farmers.
Agriculture, a growing sector of Kazakhstan economy
“The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization recognized Kazakhstan’s potential as a top 5 global agriculture producer, and potentially a top player in ensuring regional and international food security in the coming years,” says Askar Mamin, prime minister of Kazakhstan.
According to the World Bank, agriculture produces only 5% of Kazakhstan’s gross domestic product but employs almost one- third of the country’s working population, highlighting improved efficiency in this sector as essential for improving food security and earning power.
30 Irrigation TODAY | Spring 2021 Kazakhstan’s ag sector at a glance
Kazakhstan is the ninth-largest country in the world by land mass. With its vast land resources, it is well suited to extensive crop and livestock production. Of the total land area, approximately one-third is classified as agricultural land. Steppe grazing land accounts for approximately two-thirds (156 million acres) of this total, and arable land (59.3 million acres) accounts for most of the rest.
Irrigation is the key
The previous statistics demonstrate that agriculture is already an important economic sector in Kazakhstan; however, there is room for further growth through improved efficiency. For example, 81% of Kazakhstan land can potentially be cultivated, and 80% of the country is predominantly arid steppe or desert. Furthermore, in 2018, 67% of the nation’s total water consumption was for irrigation. These additional statistics, along with the country’s underutilized water channels and hydroelectric system, bring the necessity of introducing precision irrigation to the region into sharper focus.
Look at the opportunity this way: In the entire world, over the last 50 years the amount of irrigated land has more than doubled. Still, irrigated land represents only 20% of all farmland, yet it produces 40% of all yields. In Kazakhstan, about 3.7
Thirst for innovation and sustainability grows in Central Asia.
million acres are currently irrigated land, mostly in the south. Magzum Mirzagaliyev, minister of ecology, geology and natural resources, notes that Kazakhstan plans to increase the area of irrigated land to 4.9 million acres by 2022 and to 7.4 million acres by 2030. Plus, the country is prepared to allocate up to the equivalent of $239 million for the introduction of modern irrigation technologies.
The future is sustainable
The textbook definition of sustainable agriculture means farming in ways that meet society’s present food needs, without compromising the ability for current or future generations to meet their needs as well. So how can the region achieve everything they want — increased
Valley Vice President and General Manager of International Irrigation Josh Dixon and Valmont President and CEO Steve Kaniewski participate in a virtual signing of the investment agreement.
irrigationtoday.org
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