Nazarbayev discussed drought with Agriculture Minister

Nursultan Nazarbayev discussed harvest 2012 with Kazakhstan Agriculture Minister Assylzhan Mamytbekov, Tengrinews.kz reports citing the President’s press-service. “This agricultural year is spent amid drought conditions. This is happening not only in our country, but also in Russia, U.S. and Europe. Last year we had a record-high harvest. This year will be difficult for agriculture,” Kazakhstan President said. He stressed that it was necessary to enhance preparation for the harvesting campaign, in particular, to work on provision of fuel, agricultural vehicles and equipment, as well as supplies of the grain crops seeds to agricultural producers for the next year. “It is important to control the grain prices at the local market. The government will render comprehensive support to the agricultural sector. In the current situation it is necessary to work efficiently and in an orderly manner,” Nursultan Nazarbayev stressed. According to the President’s press-service, this year’s weather conditions can be compared to the year 2010, when the harvests were low in some of the oblasts because of the high temperature. “In general, despite of the droughty weather, the grain harvest will reach the average level of many years. Good results are expected in North-Kazakhstan oblast and in some regions of Karaganda, Akmola and Kostanay oblasts,” Mamytbekov noted. Agricultural Minister wrote in his Twitter blog that the state commission had approved measures on stabilization of bread and first-class flour prices, as well as on rendering support to drought-hit farmers. “We have worked out the issue of delivery of flour to the regions, if necessary, at fixed prices to avoid any bread and flour prices raise,” minister tweeted. According to the President’s press-service, drought is registered in certain regions of Kazakhstan this year. The drought has a negative effect on growth and development of agricultural crops. The drought covered southern regions of Kostanay, Akmola, Karaganda and Aktobe oblasts. According to the forecasts, 12.8 million tons of grains is expected to be harvested this year at the average yield of 8.1 centners per hectare.