Nazarbayev gave instructions to heads of Kazakhstan's grain-growing regions

Nursultan Nazarbayev has held a meeting with Akims (Governors) of Akmola, Kostanay, Pavlodar and North-Kazakhstan oblasts at Borovoye resort, Tengrinews.kz reports citing President’s press-service. Speaking of the harvest, President noted that Akims have to prepare well for the harvesting campaign. “The price of crops went up significantly from $120-160 per ton and I think that the agricultural workers should not lose their profits in such conditions. Besides, good rains have had a positive effect on the crops and the sunny weather will help us,” Nazarbayev said. He noted that over 60 billion tenge ($400 million) have been allocated to three major grain-growing oblasts of Kazakhstan in the last 5 years. “All the money spent (on agriculture) have to help this sector. It is necessary to implement new technologies, improve the efficiency in agricultural sector and harvested volumes per a hectare. All that has to be discussed and necessary measures have to be worked out,” the President stressed. Agriculture Minister Assylzhan Mamytbekov noted that the weather service forecasted an increase of rainfalls in August, that would have a good effect on the harvest that had suffered from drought. The Minister also said that the harvest campaign was about to finish in southern regions of Kazakhstan, while western regions are still in the middle of the harvesting campaign. The campaign will start in the main grain oblasts (northern regions) in a few days. “Our capacities in grain export, considering last year’s reserves and the foretasted harvest, are enough to cover all the needs of our main partners,” Mamytbekov noted. President talked about the necessity of opening facilities for assembling of agricultural vehicles in Kazakhstan. “Over a thousand of processing facilities are loaded only by one third in the three oblasts. We have we built them? The government has to work with Akims to ensure their full load. Last year I instructed you to prepare a grain stock for 1.5 years. There should be no problems in places where this instruction was followed. It is necessary to effectively use the capacities to increase the stock of coarse foods by cutting the inarable lands and preparing helm. Besides, only 64 percent of the required hay is stocked in Akmola oblast and 67 percent in Pavlodar oblast. I instruct Akims to once again analyze the situation and take the necessary measures,” Nazarbayev stressed. Besides, Nazarbayev believes that Akims are insufficiently using the capacities of the Customs Union. He pointed out that local business had to be redirected to external markets. President also reminded the Governors about his instruction to audit all the lands. “The necessary changes to the legislation have to be prepared and given to the Parliament for review. This sector has to be put in order,” he said.