Kazakhstan plans to harvest 20mln tons of grain crop
Kazakhstan plans to harvest at least 20 million tons of grain crops this fall. Minister of Agriculture Aidarbek Saparov said it at an enlarged meeting held by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov with the representatives of the domestic agrarian companies, Kazinform News Agency reports.
According to the minister, the cropping area this year makes 23.3 million hectares, with 11.3 million hectares of grain and leguminous plants or 67.9% already gathered. 16.7 million tons of grain have been threshed out. The share of elite seeds has increased from 7.1% to 9%, Aidarbek Saparov said.
The Prime Minister highlighted the importance of preserving the new crop and improving bread quality. The grain receiving stations countrywide have accepted 2.5 million tons of grain, including 1.8 million tons of wheat.
In August and September, the Food Contract Corporation and Kazakhstan Temir Zholy transported 1.2 million tons of crops, 1 million ton of which was sent for export. A part of grain is being exported to Uzbekistan, China, and the remaining part is used for domestic consumption. Kazakh grain has returned to its traditional market – Iran, the minister pointed out.
To ensure uninterrupted harvesting campaign, local agrarians have been provided with sufficient volume of concessionary fuel and fertilizers. 226,200 tons of cheap diesel fuel have already been sent to the regions.
The Prime Minister set a task to complete the harvesting campaign as soon as practicable, to preserve the crop and to ensure the sale of the manufactured products.
