Kazakhstan has approved a cropping plan for 2026. It calls for a significant reduction in the share of wheat and an increase in fodder, oilseed, and legume crops. Minister of Agriculture Aidarbek Saparov reported at a government meeting on preparations for spring field work, preferential lending mechanisms, and the provision of resources to farmers.
Priority is given to highly profitable and drought-resistant crops.
The cropping plan for 2026 includes the following changes:
Forage crops: increase by 242,000 hectares;
Barley: increase by 94,000 hectares;
Corn: increase by 90,000 hectares (to 265,000 hectares);
Oilseeds: increase by 55,000 hectares;
Potatoes: increase by 10,300 hectares;
Wheat: decrease by 125,000 hectares (to 12.1 million hectares).
To secure raw material supplies for processing plants and mitigate the risk of price fluctuations, the total sown area this year has been increased by 180,000 hectares to 23.8 million hectares.
"Work is currently underway to secure raw material supplies for the planned deep corn processing plants. In this regard, we have revised corn diversification indicators and plan to significantly expand the sown area, including in the northern regions. Overall, this year, the corn area is planned to reach 265,000 hectares, which is 90,000 hectares more than last year," the minister stated.
To this end, the Ministry held a meeting with a Chinese company, which expressed its willingness to provide practical assistance by sharing its experience in growing corn in China's northern regions, which have similar soil and climatic conditions.
Furthermore, the possibility of forward financing for farmers through the Food Corporation, with the subsequent sale of the corn to the investor, is currently being explored to ensure the plant's capacity.
In this regard, the Ministry of Agriculture asks the regions to demonstrate interest in adopting international experience in corn cultivation and intensifying efforts to expand its acreage.
Furthermore, work is underway in the southern regions of the republic to optimize the acreage of water-intensive crops, including rice and cotton.
For example, in accordance with water use limits, the rice acreage has been reduced by 20.2 thousand hectares.
The cotton acreage will amount to 162.4 thousand hectares, of which the area under drip irrigation will increase by 29.8 thousand hectares, and the area under traditional irrigation will decrease by 12 thousand hectares.
"I would like to note that the structure of this year's acreage will allow for the harvest volume required to fully meet domestic needs, taking into account market conditions and external demand, which will mitigate the risks associated with fluctuations in agricultural prices.
"Considering the above, it is proposed to approve the structure of agricultural crop acreage and new diversification indicators for 2026," A. Saparov told the Prime Minister.
Meanwhile, he reported that 700 billion tenge has been allocated for preferential loans for field work this year. While early financing for the 2025 sowing season began in late November 2024, applications for the 2026 early stage financing program began accepting applications as early as October of last year. As a result, approximately 1,900 agricultural producers have already been financed to date, totaling 200 billion tenge, or approximately 30% of the total financing volume, which is 6% more than the same period last year.
Furthermore, according to the minister, 402,000 tons of subsidized diesel fuel have been allocated for the optimal sowing campaign, and the renewal rate of agricultural machinery is planned to reach 8%.