A high-level round table titled “Kazakhstan-Germany Agro & Water Nexus” was held in Berlin, bringing together German companies from the agri-industrial and water sectors and a Kazakh delegation that arrived in Germany to participate in the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture (GFFA) international conference, DKNews.kz reports.
The event became an important platform for dialogue on sustainable agriculture, technological cooperation, and effective water management amid growing climate and resource challenges.
Strong Political and Institutional Support
The round table opened with welcoming remarks by Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan to Germany Nurlan Onzhanov, Vice Minister of Agriculture of Kazakhstan Azat Sultanov, State Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity of Germany (BMLEH) Markus Schick, and Dirk Stratmann, Speaker of the German Agribusiness Alliance (GAA) for Central Asia.
Speakers emphasized that cooperation between Kazakhstan and Germany is increasingly moving beyond trade and into long-term technological, investment, and innovation-driven partnerships.
Three Key Topics Shaping the Future of Agriculture
The agenda of the meeting was built around three thematic panel discussions reflecting the most pressing priorities for the agricultural sector:
- technological transfer and the development of sustainable agrosystems
- implementation of water-efficient solutions and modernization of water infrastructure
- digitalization of agriculture and the use of smart technologies
Participants discussed practical cases, joint pilot projects, and ways to accelerate the adoption of modern solutions in agriculture and water management.
Broad Participation from Business and Experts
More than 40 representatives from business associations, scientific institutions, the private sector, and expert communities from both countries took part in the round table. This broad participation allowed the discussion to move from strategic declarations toward concrete cooperation mechanisms and real-world projects.
Agriculture as a Strategic Growth Driver for Kazakhstan
During the discussions, special attention was given to Kazakhstan’s national development priorities. In his Address to the Nation, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has emphasized that agriculture should become one of the key drivers of economic growth, technological modernization, and export expansion.
The focus, as noted during the round table, is not merely on increasing production volumes, but primarily on improving quality, sustainability, deep processing, and the introduction of innovative technologies.
Why Germany Matters as a Strategic Partner
In this context, cooperation with Germany holds particular significance for Kazakhstan. The two countries are already successfully implementing joint projects in agro-engineering, deep processing of agricultural products, organic farming, seed production, as well as the adoption of German quality standards and water-efficient technologies.
German companies are actively operating in Kazakhstan, creating jobs, introducing advanced solutions, and helping build new value-added production chains.
A Solid Foundation for Deeper Partnership
Participants of the round table agreed that ongoing joint initiatives are already delivering tangible results and provide a strong foundation for further deepening the strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and Germany.
Among the priority areas for future cooperation, experts highlighted sustainable agriculture, seed production, technological transfer, modernization of water infrastructure, efficient water resource management in agriculture, and the wider use of smart technologies.
