THE GLOBAL WINDOW OF TURKISH FOOD AND AGRICULTURE The Global Window of Turkish Food and Agriculture Sector
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According to the Euractiv, Kazakhstan is among the non-EU countries set to benefit from the European Investment Bank’s €465 million fund, part of the €3 billion Pan-European Agricultural Programme launched to enhance sustainability, close financing gaps, support young farmers, and promote climate-resilient practices. This marks the largest-ever financing initiative for agriculture approved by the EIB.
Kazakhstan’s agricultural sector is undergoing significant reforms aimed at boosting exports and meeting domestic needs. The government is overhauling financial and subsidy systems to support agricultural enterprises and increase domestic agricultural machinery production, projected to grow from €498 million to €568 million by 2025. Machinery sales rose 52% in the past year, reflecting progress in this area.
The country’s crop exports, particularly barley, lentils, and corn, are also on the rise. Between September and October, 1.8 million tons of grain were exported, a 48% increase from the same period last year. Lentil exports grew sevenfold, reaching 80,000 tons, mostly to European countries, while rice exports rose 47%, fueled by new markets in Azerbaijan and Belarus. Kazakhstan also plans to boost exports of vegetable oils and grist to China, targeting $300 million by 2025.
Kazakhstan is one of the top ten global grain exporters, supplying eight million tons of wheat and two million tons of flour annually to over 80 countries. The government is working to diversify export routes and expand markets, focusing on enhancing its agricultural trade with the EU. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, during a recent visit to France, emphasized Kazakhstan’s importance in global food security and encouraged European firms to explore investment opportunities.
However, logistical challenges, including lower wheat quality and trade barriers, remain hurdles. Despite this, Kazakhstan continues to enhance its transit capacity between China and Europe, positioning itself as a key player in agricultural trade.
IsDB: Islamic Development Bank and Kazakhstan launch $1.32 billion climate-resilient water project
The Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) and the Republic of Kazakhstan signed a landmark agreement today to launch Phase 1 of the Climate Resilient Water Resources Development Project, reports IsDB. The signing ceremony, held during COP29, was attended by Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, with the agreement formalized by Nurlan Baibazarov, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Economy of Kazakhstan (IsDB Governor), and IsDB President Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser.
The $1.32 billion initiative, backed by $1.15 billion in IsDB funding, aims to propel Kazakhstan’s water infrastructure while strengthening its resilience to climate change.
The comprehensive project encompasses several major infrastructure developments and capacity-building initiatives. At its core, the project will establish 11 strategic reservoirs designed for seasonal water storage and flood control, while simultaneously rehabilitating 3,400 kilometers of irrigation networks across the country. The initiative will also focus on enhancing river flows across 100 kilometers, significantly improving water distribution and accessibility. To ensure long-term sustainability, the project includes an extensive training program for 1,100 staff members in advanced water management techniques, along with providing climate-smart agricultural training to 100,000 community members.
“This project demonstrates the powerful synergy between IsDB and Kazakhstan, focusing on long-term climate resilience, food security, and sustainable economic growth for the people of Kazakhstan. By 2032, this project will result in 350,000 hectares of sustainably irrigated land for crop production, an average of 20% yield increase for key crops, and a 25% reduction in water loss in the irrigation system,” said Dr. Muhammad Al Jasser, IsDB President.
As the first phase of a comprehensive water security program, this initiative underscores Kazakhstan’s commitment to environmental sustainability and IsDB’s dedication to innovative development solutions. The project will enhance agricultural productivity, secure water resources for vulnerable communities, and strengthen the nation’s ability to adapt to climate change.
By Yerzhan Zhanibekov,
Source: en.inform.kz/news
