May 2020 Highlights of Kazakhstan Agricultural Sector

The number of sheep and goats in Kazakhstan during January-March 2020 increased incrementally. Since the beginning of the year, an increase in the number of sheep and goats has begun in Kazakhstan. Last year, mass lambing started only in February. This year, the stock of sheep and goats has increased already in January. The number of sheep and goats in the republic as of January 1 amounted to 19,092 thousand heads, and as of February 1, to 19,118.9 thousand heads and increased by 26.9 thousand heads or 0.2% against January. In February, the dynamics of growth in the number of sheep and goats increased significantly. As of March 1, the number of sheep and goats increased by 789.9 thousand animals in 19,908.8 thousand animals or by 4.1%. As a result, over two months the number of sheep and goats increased by 816.8 thousand heads, or 4.3%. But further in March, the increase in livestock became explosive. As of April 1, the number of sheep and goats increased by 2,554.2 thousand heads to 22,463 thousand heads or 12.8%. As a result, over the three months of this year, the number of these animals increased by 3,371 thousand animals, or 17.7%. By regions, the number of sheep and goats increased in different absolute and relative indices, but exceptions appeared. In North Kazakhstan region, the number of sheep and goats decreased in March by 5 thousand animals, and in three months by 13 thousand animals from 419.3 to 406.3 thousand animals. The highest increase in the number of sheep and goats in January-March in the southern regions of Kazakhstan. This is Almaty region with an increase by 810.6 thousand heads from 3,510 to 4,320.6 thousand heads and Turkestan region by 715.7 thousand heads from 4,290.6 to 5,006.3 thousand heads. In these same areas, the largest number of sheep and goats is kept, amounting to 9,326.9 thousand heads or 41.5% of the total Kazakhstan herd of these animals. In other areas, livestock growth is lower. In Zhambyl region by 390 thousand heads from 2,861.8 to 3,251.8 thousand heads, in East Kazakhstan region by 348.7 thousand heads from 1,611.7 to 1,960.4 thousand heads, in Mangystau region by 233 thousand heads from 384.4 to 617.4. thousand heads In West Kazakhstan region the number increased by 196.7 thousand heads, Karaganda region by 173.7 thousand heads, Pavlodar region by 143.9 thousand heads, Akmola region by 109.8 thousand heads, Kazakh Zerno reported.

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Number of cattle in Kazakhstan in January-March increases by 12.2%

In Kazakhstan, mass calving of cattle is in full swing. Already in December, the number of cattle in the republic increased slightly, and now the growth of the number of these animals is in progression. During the two winter months of 2020, the number of cattle increased in almost all regions, except for Atyrau region. In March, the dynamics of the increase in livestock increased even sharper. During this month, the number of cows and bulls has increased in all regions. In 3 of them by more than 60 thousand heads, in 7 regions within 20 to 50 thousand heads, and in 4 by less than 10 thousand heads. Over 3 months of this year, the number of cattle increased by more than 100 thousand heads in 6 regions. In 4 regions from 30 to 80 thousand heads, and in other areas below this level. As of the beginning of the year, 7,437.6 thousand heads were kept in the farms of Kazakhstan. In January, the livestock increased by 77.4 thousand animals, or 1%, to 7,515 thousand animals, and in February, by 313.5 thousand animals, or 4.2%, to 7,828.5 thousand animals. As a result, over 2 months, the number of cattle increased by 390.9 thousand heads or by 5.2%. In March, the number of cattle increased by 513 thousand animals to 8,341.5 thousand animals, or 6.6%, exceeding the livestock of this year compared to last year on March 1, by 316.1 thousand heads, or 3.9%. In March, the three leaders in terms of cattle stock growth were East Kazakhstan region with an increase by 93.4 thousand heads from 1,072.7 to 1,166.1 thousand heads, Turkestan region by 71.4 thousand heads from 1,094.7 to 1,166.1 thousand heads and Karaganda region by 64.2 thousand heads from 589.3 to 653.5 thousand heads. In January-March, the composition of the TOP-3 is slightly changing. East Kazakhstan region remains the absolute champion with a growth by 161.6 thousand heads from 1,004.5 to 1,166.1 thousand heads. Almaty region by 136 thousand heads from 1,028 to 1,134 thousand heads and again Turkestan region by 113.2 thousand heads from 1,052.9 to 1,166.1 thousand heads, according to Kazakh Zerno.

30 million tenge loans can be granted for livestock development projects in Kazakhstan

The Financial Support Fund for Agriculture (a subsidiary of KazAgro Holding) has begun to consider applications for lending to livestock development projects, the loan amount for which has been increased to 30 million tenge, according to the press service of the Financial Support Fund for Agriculture The Fund implements a lending program aimed at financing of livestock development projects. This year, the amount of the loan provided for financing livestock projects has been increased to 30 million tenge. Loans for raising cattle, sheep, and camels will be issued for up to 10 years at 16% p.a. interest. At the same time, state subsidies are provided at10% interest to reduce the credit burden on farmers. A potential borrower is required to have facilities for livestock, grazing land. Secondly, an agreement must be concluded with the feedlot on the delivery of young animals for fattening. For small cattle breeders, the presence of premises for keeping and pastures is also mandatory. An agreement must be concluded on the delivery of young animals to meat processing enterprises. Camel breeding projects should include the delivery of milk and wool to processing plants. Branches of the Fund for Financial Support for Agriculture operate in all regional centers, as well as in Nur-Sultan, Almaty, Shymkent, according to Kazakhsanskaya Pravda.

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