In 2024, agriculture was at the forefront of growth rates among various sectors of the economy. This was made possible due to a significant increase in preferential lending for spring planting activities. This year, at least 700 billion tenge must be allocated for these activities. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev stated this during an extended government meeting, as reported by a correspondent from the business information center Kapital.kz.
“Accessible loans must be provided to livestock breeders and agricultural product processors. I have already mentioned the need to transition from unproductive subsidies to the expansion of preferential lending. This task must be accomplished. Last year, our farmers had a good harvest, but grain prices dropped significantly. To support farmers and stabilize the domestic market, tools from the Food Corporation were utilized. However, this is a temporary solution,” the head of state noted.
He emphasized the need to continue shifting towards the cultivation of more profitable crops, expand storage and deep processing capacities for raw materials, support sales in foreign markets, and closely monitor the situation with infectious diseases and livestock vaccination issues.
“I want to specifically address the tasks related to rural development. The priority is the modernization of infrastructure and business support. The decision to integrate all measures of state support for the comprehensive development of rural areas into one program document was correct (“Aul Amanaty,” “Aul – El Besigi,” and others). I expect new systemic and unconventional approaches from the government and akims. Overall, there are many unresolved issues in agriculture, as noted by farmers and experts. In particular, many fattening sites are vacant, and livestock is being sold to neighboring countries at low prices,” he said.
The President instructed that attention be given to all matters affecting the quality of life in rural areas.
“We cannot allow rural residents to lose access to financial and state services. Currently, this task is largely being addressed through the infrastructure of Kazpost. I instruct the government, together with akimats, to ensure the continued uninterrupted operation of post offices even in the most remote settlements,” he stated.