Participants of the 14th meeting of the dialogue platform "Kazakhstan - European Union" discussed fruitful cooperation within the framework of a joint agri-food mission, which aims to promote European products in the market of Kazakhstan and increase the range of Kazakh products in the markets of the European Union.

As Ambassador of the EU Delegation Kestutis Jankauskas noted, interaction in the field of agriculture and water resources management will be key on the bilateral agenda this year.

Minister of Agriculture Aidarbek Saparov presented a number of initiatives from Kazakhstan. In particular, he clarified the issue of registration of enterprises in the veterinary authorities of our country when exporting products of animal origin from the EU. He noted that Kazakhstan, as a member of the Eurasian Economic Union, follows a common trade policy, providing for harmonised requirements for imported goods from third countries.

Thus, according to EEC Decision №94 registration of enterprises of third countries in Kazakhstan provides for mandatory coordination with the member states of the Union. An important aspect is to ensure the safety of imported goods, in particular, it is necessary to confirm the absence of epizootics in the exporting country. At the same time, Kazakhstan, upon agreement of the EAEU member states, actively includes enterprises of third countries in the Register for exporting their products to the territory of the Customs Union.

It was also discussed about expanding the range of Kazakh agricultural products exported to the EU and the preparation of a plan to control residues on honey. Kazakhstan has significant potential in the production of high quality products: honey, poultry, horse meat, beef, dairy products and aquaculture, which have already attracted a high level of interest from European businesses.

The Ministry of Agriculture is doing a lot of work in this direction, especially in terms of export of commercial fish products. Out of 70 enterprises engaged in fish processing 17 meet high requirements and have received the right to export fish products to the European Union countries.

"We are also actively working on the beginning of honey export. Currently, the relevant package of documents is under consideration of the EU Commission, taking this opportunity I ask you to assist in making a favourable decision. In parallel, we are modernising veterinary laboratories. Funding has been allocated from the Government's reserve for the purchase of laboratory equipment, which will allow us to obtain the relevant accreditation and conduct laboratory tests of products in accordance with EU requirements. Taking into account the importance of expanding the list of exported products, the work in this direction will be continued," Saparov said.

Taking into account the policy on water saving, some elements and technologies have been introduced and are already being implemented in our country. The Ministry of Agriculture expressed interest in the ‘Austrian’ approach to rain-fed agriculture. In order to study this technology in detail, it is planned to use the potential of scientific research institutes or experimental stations, creating a demonstration site on their basis. After positive results, it is planned to promote the scaling up of this technology throughout the country.

Kazakhstan pays special attention to the development of irrigated agriculture. Every year, agrarians introduce water-saving technologies on an area of about 30,000 hectares.

"The Head of State instructed to bring the area up to 150 thousand hectares annually. Relevant indicators by the Ministry of Water Resources and Irrigation have been communicated to the regions. Accordingly, the demand for modern equipment will only grow. I held a meeting with representatives of BAUER companies. We have found a worthy partner for them - Imstalcon company with a large production potential for manufacturing building structures. There is an agreement to open a joint venture for the assembly of irrigation systems. From our side, all necessary conditions will be created for this," the Head of the Ministry of Agriculture said.

In addition, foreign manufacturers of machinery in case of their localisation in Kazakhstan also have preferences provided by the current legislation.

The introduction of modern agricultural technologies, including moisture and resource-saving, development of seed production, improvement of agrarian science and innovation - these are the priorities set before the industry by the head of state and without which it is impossible to develop a successful agro-industrial complex.

Active work has begun on the development of seed production. There are clear plans for import substitution of seeds of grain and oilseeds, vegetables, potatoes and corn. For this purpose, a Comprehensive Plan for the development of breeding and seed production of agricultural crops for 2024-2028 has been developed and will soon be approved.

"Given the high import dependence on seeds, including corn seeds, the implementation of the pilot project will reduce imports of corn seeds and work on the development of further exports of these seeds. In general, Kazakhstan is ready to exchange experience with leading breeders and seed growers in Europe, as well as welcome investors who would like to come to the country's market to develop domestic seed production," Aidarbek Saparov summarised. 

He also expressed readiness for joint seed production within the framework of experience exchange with Hungary on the basis of the National Agrarian Research and Education Centre. 

#Agroindustrial complex #International Cooperation