The ceremonial launch took place today at the LLP "Agrofirma Rodina." This project is unprecedented not only in Kazakhstan but also in Central Asia. The milking carousel is a modern automated milking system. The rotating platform can simultaneously accommodate 80 cows in specially equipped stalls.
The project cost is 3 billion tenge. The milking carousel is partially robotic, allowing for the milking of 2,000 cows, which significantly reduces the time required for herd management. Additionally, gentle milking minimizes stress for the cows. The milking complex serves as a "beauty salon" for livestock, offering services such as regular hoof trimming, udder washing, disinfection, and a comfortable microclimate for the animals. Thanks to attentive care, just a few days ago, the agro-farm set a record daily yield of 86 liters! The champion was born in the village of Rodina and is 2.5 years old. The Holstein cow, which is black and white, is milked three times a day. The animal does not have a name but has an individual number.
"The investment project will allow the agro-farm to increase gross milk production from 34,500 to 40,000 tons per year. Naturally, the living conditions for the animals and working conditions for the staff will significantly improve. Of course, labor productivity will increase by almost one and a half times. This is a modern milking carousel," said Ivan Sauer, director of LLP "Agrofirma Rodina."
Ivan Sauer reminded that the first milking carousel was installed on the farm 17 years ago. Since then, technologies have changed drastically. This year, the farm plans to equip a new calf barn for 850 heads and build a modern slaughterhouse.
The Deputy Akim of Akmolinsk Region, Murat Balpan, emphasized that the region is the largest supplier of agricultural products to the Astana market. Within the framework of the food belt, the capital consumes about 30% of the meat and dairy products produced by farmers in Akmolinsk Region. Currently, agrarians need to increase production and provide Astana with milk and meat by 50%.
"By the end of 2024, the state will have invested about 15 billion tenge. With these funds, five dairy farms have been established in the region, including the expansion of production at 'Rodina.' 'Rodina' is undoubtedly one of the leaders in milk production. LLP is managed by Hero of Labor Ivan Sauer. In 2025, we plan to invest 20 billion tenge in this direction. Of these, 3 billion tenge have already been received. They will be allocated for irrigation and increasing the feed base. This is the foundation for the development of animal husbandry," explained Murat Balpan.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture Amanhali Berdalin reported that Kazakhstan allocates 35 billion tenge annually in subsidies for dairy production. Large dairy farms produce 650,000 tons of milk in the country. To reduce dependence on imports, 118 farms are being built with a total capacity of 700,000 tons of milk, as instructed by President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
"In 2023, we launched a lending program at 2.5% and allocated funds to 69 dairy farms. Last year, construction began on 18 farms. I believe that within the next two years, we will eliminate dependence on milk imports. To achieve this, we need to produce an additional 350,000 tons of milk," he believes.
The launch of the so-called "mega-carousel" is an important step in fulfilling the president's directive to increase the share of processed agricultural products to 70%.
"A few years ago, none of my colleagues could even dream of getting loans at 2.5% for 10 years. This was unimaginable even in dreams, but today it is a reality. This is not the last project. I am proud of how the dairy industry is developing in our country. When we built the first complex, we were regarded as aliens. Today, that no longer surprises anyone. Everyone is trying to keep up with the times. It's wonderful. Foreigners come and say, 'I take my hat off.' They recognize us, and they see us as competitors. Our yields are higher than in Europe," says Ivan Sauer.
The preferential loan program for investment projects has become an effective tool for supporting agrarians in the Akmolinsk region. Last year, thanks to the allocation of credit funds, five large dairy farms with a total of 4,900 heads of cattle were put into operation in the region. In 2025, the launch of two more farms with 1,200 heads is planned. These are the first steps that will allow the region to increase the production of marketable milk by 1.5 times, from 90 to 130 thousand tons, and supply fresh, environmentally friendly products to the residents of Astana.