Agriculture is increasingly moving beyond its traditional role and becoming one of the key drivers of economic growth. This trend was clearly reflected at the forum “The Potential of the Agricultural Sector in Cooperation Between Kazakhstan and Russia,” held at the Crocus City business center in Moscow as part of the large international exhibition AGRAVIA, DKNews.kz reports.
The event was organized by the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Russia with the support of the Russian exhibition company Agros Expo Group. It brought together government officials, business representatives, industry associations, and experts from both countries to discuss export opportunities, investment potential, and concrete joint projects in the agro-industrial sector.
Untapped Potential in Agriculture and Food Production
Opening the forum, its moderator – Academician of the Russian Academy of Sciences and Chairman of the Committee for the Development of the Agro-Industrial Complex of the Russian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Pyotr Chekmarev – emphasized that Kazakhstan and Russia possess significant untapped potential in agriculture and food production.
According to him, both countries have vast land resources that allow for the expansion of cultivated areas, as well as strong opportunities to increase output in crop production and livestock farming. These advantages, he noted, create a solid foundation for deeper bilateral cooperation.
Kazakhstan’s Growth and Ambitious Targets
Speaking at the forum, Dauren Abayev, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Russia, highlighted Kazakhstan’s unique natural and resource potential. The country ranks sixth in the world by pastureland area and eighth by arable land.
“Over the past ten years, Kazakhstan’s gross agricultural output has grown more than 2.5 times – from $7 billion to $18 billion. We have set an ambitious but realistic goal to double this figure by 2030,” the Ambassador said.
He stressed that agricultural cooperation with Russia occupies a special place in Kazakhstan’s economic agenda and called for further strengthening of bilateral engagement.
Human Capital as a Key Factor
A separate focus of the discussion was human capital. Gennady Ordenov, a member of the Federation Council Committee on Agrarian and Food Policy and Environmental Management, noted that modern agriculture requires far more than traditional agronomic knowledge.
“Today’s agricultural sector needs specialists who are proficient not only in agronomy and animal husbandry, but also in digital technologies, automation systems, GPS navigation, and innovative biotechnologies. Cooperation in agricultural education is not just an exchange of knowledge – it is an investment in the future,” he said.
According to Ordenov, Kazakhstan currently ranks second among foreign countries in terms of the number of students studying at Russian agricultural universities, reflecting the deepening educational ties between the two states.
Livestock Farming and Joint Strategies
Olga Abramova, Adviser to the Minister of Agriculture of the Russian Federation, pointed out that Kazakhstan is carrying out substantial work to develop its agro-industrial complex and that Russia can play an important supporting role.
As an example, she mentioned the Kazakh white-headed cattle breed, part of which is currently located in Russia. From her perspective, the two countries would benefit from developing a joint strategy for this breed.
“Kazakhstan needs high-quality livestock to ensure sustainable reproduction. A coordinated approach could strengthen livestock farming in both countries,” she noted.
Investment, Predictability, and the EAEU Market
Investment opportunities were outlined by Aibol Argyngazinov, Deputy Chairman of the Management Board of Kazakh Invest. He emphasized that predictability, regulatory stability, and long-term rules are crucial factors for investors.
“Today, Kazakhstan has already formed such conditions. Combined with access to the unified market of the Eurasian Economic Union, this allows the country to be viewed as a convenient platform for expanding production cooperation, including with Russian companies,” he said.
From Discussion to Action
The forum also featured presentations by representatives of agribusiness and agro-industrial companies from both countries, including heads of Kazakhstan’s industry associations representing the dairy, fat-and-oil, and livestock sectors. Participants discussed specific proposals, projects, and plans aimed at intensifying cooperation in agriculture.
According to forum participants, today’s economic realities require new approaches to cooperation, the active introduction of advanced technologies, and adaptation to global trends. Business communities in Kazakhstan and Russia, they believe, must not only build on existing potential but also remain flexible in responding to global challenges.
The forum concluded with a shared confidence that coordinated cooperation, direct exchange of experience, and the joint search for mutually beneficial solutions will help elevate economic relations between Kazakhstan and Russia to a new qualitative level.
