Starting January 1, 2027, updated regulations for tenders concerning the allocation of agricultural land will come into effect in Kazakhstan, following an order issued by the Ministry of Agriculture. The new framework shifts the entire tender process to an electronic format—featuring automated scoring—and removes several systemic barriers, in line with proposals from the "Atameken" National Chamber of Entrepreneurs. Notably, at least 30% of the available land plots will now be reserved exclusively for beginning farmers, and the evaluation criteria for participants will now account for machinery acquired through leasing, reports the news agency APK Novosti.
According to the "Atameken" National Chamber of Entrepreneurs, the newly approved regulations for agricultural land tenders mandate a transition to an electronic format and the implementation of transparent mechanisms for evaluating applicants. Furthermore, at the initiative of the National Chamber, several significant changes have been adopted to address systemic issues previously identified by the business community.
"The order from the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan, dated October 29, 2026, will take effect on January 1, 2027," the National Chamber stated.
A key innovation is the shift to electronic tenders conducted via the state land registry’s web portal. The new system facilitates the automated submission and verification of applications, the calculation of tender scores, and the determination of winners, all based on data drawn from state information systems.
Additionally, procedures for compiling lists of land plots, conducting repeat tenders, and executing lease agreements have been revised. Specifically, in the event of a repeat tender, it is now possible to allocate a land plot to a single applicant, provided they meet all established requirements. These changes are expected to reduce administrative barriers, enhance the objectivity of tender procedures, and make the process of acquiring agricultural land more transparent and accessible to entrepreneurs.
"Land is the primary resource for agricultural development; therefore, the mechanism for its allocation must be as transparent and fair as possible. The transition to electronic tenders is a significant step in this direction. For farmers, it is crucial that decisions regarding land allocation are based on uniform, objective criteria, free from excessive administrative procedures or subjective interference," stated Nazira Usenova, a member of the Board and Deputy Chair of the Board.
A key feature of the updated regulations includes provisions designed to address specific challenges that entrepreneurs encounter when participating in land tenders.
Following collaborative efforts with the Ministry of Agriculture, proposals from the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry have been incorporated into the new regulations, effectively resolving systemic issues faced by the business community.
One problematic issue was the rejection of applications from business owners on formal grounds—often due to the lack of a standardized application form and inconsistent approaches to reviewing submitted documents.
As a result, entrepreneurs faced additional administrative hurdles as early as the application stage for tenders.
The new rules introduce a shift toward electronic application submission, featuring automated verification. This will standardize the participation process, ensure a consistent approach to reviewing applications, and reduce the risk of documents being rejected without valid cause. In effect, this creates a unified and transparent mechanism for granting entrepreneurs access to land tenders, eliminating the formal barriers that previously existed.
Another significant challenge was the limited access that aspiring farmers had to agricultural land.
Previously, individuals planning to enter the agricultural sector for the first time found it difficult to compete with established large-scale farms, which possess substantial material, technical, and financial resources.
Following a proposal by the National Chamber, a separate category of tenders has been established for individuals who have not previously been granted agricultural land for farming or agricultural production.
At least 30% of the land plots included in tender lists are now designated for this category. At the same time, more accessible evaluation criteria for participants have been introduced, based on factors such as the possession of agricultural machinery, livestock, and labor resources.
"It is important not only to ensure transparency in land tenders but also to create genuine opportunities for those entering the agricultural sector for the first time. Previously, a beginning farmer was effectively competing against established, large-scale operations with significant resources. Thanks to the National Chamber’s proposal, a separate mechanism is now in place, allowing such individuals to gain access to land on fairer terms." "This is an important measure for the development of agriculture and entrepreneurship in rural areas," emphasized Daniyar Molkenov, Director of the Department of Construction and Land Relations.
The new approach is expected to foster the growth of small-scale farming, encourage rural residents to engage in entrepreneurship, and promote more extensive use of agricultural land.
Another systemic issue concerned the criteria used to evaluate participants in land tenders. Specifically, local residents who had lived in the relevant district for at least five years were awarded 10 additional points, whereas agricultural cooperatives received only 5 points. Furthermore, the evaluation of competitive bids took into account equipment owned outright, but did not allow for the inclusion of agricultural machinery acquired through financial leasing.
Such conditions have limited the competitive standing of certain categories of agricultural producers, including farmers who rely on leasing to modernize their machinery and equipment. Following proposals from the National Chamber of Entrepreneurs, the evaluation system has now been revised.
Local residents and agricultural cooperatives are now each granted an equal number of additional points—5 points apiece. Furthermore, agricultural machinery acquired through financial leasing will now be taken into account when evaluating participants.
"Today, financial leasing serves as a key instrument for acquiring agricultural machinery. The method of financing should not, however, become an obstacle to participating in land tenders. Factoring in leased equipment and equalizing the competitive points awarded to local residents and cooperatives will help eliminate existing imbalances and ensure fairer competition among agricultural producers," stated Kuanysh Asylkhanov, Deputy Director of the Department for Construction and Land Relations.
These changes are the result of ongoing collaboration between the "Atameken" National Chamber of Entrepreneurs and the Ministry of Agriculture, aimed at refining land legislation to better address the needs of entrepreneurs.
"For the National Chamber, it is of fundamental importance that business proposals are reflected in concrete regulatory decisions. In this instance, we were not only able to identify existing challenges but also ensure that mechanisms to address them were incorporated into the new regulations. This is the outcome of constructive engagement with the Ministry and an example of how systematic work with feedback from entrepreneurs can improve the business environment," emphasized Nazira Usenova.
Nevertheless, the "Atameken" National Chamber notes that the effectiveness of these changes will depend on their practical implementation.
Particular attention will be focused on ensuring the stable operation of the electronic tender system, the reliability of the government data used, the objectivity of the evaluation process, and the actual accessibility of land plots for beginning farmers. The National Chamber will continue to monitor the application of the new Rules and to cooperate with the authorized state bodies with a view to further improving land relations.