Source: Kazakhstan Today

G reenhouse Production of Early Vegetables and Fruit in Kazakhstan Meets Only 17% of Its Consumption Demand

The greenhouse production infrastructure is underdeveloped in Kazakhstan. “Today, there are 1,752 indoor facilities in the country, with a total area of 217 hectares. According to statistical data, the gross output is 14,700 tons per year – which is a mere 17% of what we consume.”

This was reported by Arman Yevniyev, Vice Minister of Agriculture of Kazakhstan, during the 2nd workshop Protected Ground of Kazakhstan 2010, on development of greenhouse production in Kazakhstan, reports Kazakh-ZERNO with reference to KazInform.

Y et, Kazakhstan has favourable conditions to meet the market demand in the Customs Union with agricultural produce, says A. Yevniyev. According to him, the Customs Union’s market – more than 170 million people – needs fruit and vegetables, and especially early produce.

“In this respect, in order to enhance development of greenhouse production, the legislators have for the first time come up with a mechanism of subsidizing indoor production. A special budget programme earmarked 279 million tenge this year. This is our first attempt. Our objective for this year is to develop efficient mechanisms,” said Vice Minister of Agriculture of Kazakhstan.

Vice Minister also said that in the Customs Union, the rate of import customs duties for greenhouse equipment will be zero during 2010 through 2012. “This should enhance development of greenhouse production at this stage.”

Kazakhstan: a 200-Hectare Food Terminal Being Built Near Astana

According to the Astana City Akimat (Kazakhstan), in order to develop a local agro-industrial complex, KazAgro National Holding JSC began implementation of the project on construction of a wholesale agricultural produce market with regional terminals 12 kilometres off Astana, in Talapker, Akmola Oblast.

It includes a system for preparation, storage and wholesale distribution of vegetables, fruit, meat and fish. The capacity of this facility is 130,000 tons per year. A 200-hectare land plot has been assigned to house terminals for regional markets, with a 10-hectare area for construction of a vegetable store cellar and warehouses.

AstanaEkoStandart LLP is now implementing a project on establishing a greenhouse compound to grow cucumbers and tomatoes. A 3-hectare land plot has been assigned for the project implementation. The project will begin in the 1st quarter of 2010.

Implementation of investment projects on construction of KazGlavProdukt LLP and Lender Group shipping and logistics centres is planned in Industrial Park. Implementation of the projects will be completed in 2010.

Halal-Industry Association Established in Kazakhstan

The new NGO brought together about 400 enterprises, said Marat Sarsenbayev, the association’s chairperson, as reported by KazInform. Its first constituent congress is being held in Astana today.

According to М. Sarsenbayev, the halal industry is to occupy its own niche and has great development outlooks. In 2006, a state standard for this product was introduced in Kazakhstan. Many factories and meat packing plants have already accepted this trend. Halal is an environment-friendly product made in full compliance with the following requirements: no pork is used, slaughtering and meat processing follows certain technical procedures, animals are raised exclusively on environment-friendly feed, etc.

The stereotype that such products are made only in Muslim countries is refuted by such major meat suppliers as Brazil and Argentina. According to М. Sarsenbayev, as such products become more popular, there are more fakes in our country. A fake is usually sold without the producer’s contact details. Therefore, a contract was signed with National Centre of Biotechnology to carry out research to evaluate the product quality.

Opening of an Islamic bank in Kazakhstan will undoubtedly have a positive effect on the industry. “Interest-free credit lines will enhance fast development of the halal industry because our producers must be funded mostly by the Islamic bank,” said М. Sarsenbayev.

Notably, the constituent congress of Halal-Industry Association in Astana is attended by guests from the Chechen Republic, Kyrgyzstan, Tatarstan, and Tajikistan.

According to Ilnur Gainullin from the Halal Standard Committee at the Muslim Religious Board of Tatarstan, participation in the meeting will provide an opportunity to exchange experiences. “Today, we come to learn and share our expertise. Slow but sure, the halal industry in Russia keeps developing, Tatarstan being a leader in this area,” he said. I. Gainullin also said that preparations for the 2013 World Student Games – the biggest contest ever held in Tatarstan – takes halal production norms into account because a lot of competitors will arrive from Muslim countries.

“I think the current event will expand our cooperation. I would like to see my colleagues here who make halal products. There is a high demand of such products in different regions of Russia, and we will therefore discuss supplies of halal products made in Kazakhstan to those Russian regions, as well as participation in international exhibitions,” I. Gainullin said.