Government discussed measures of support for agrarians
Dry weather conditions affecting agriculture are observed in some regions of Kazakhstan this year. The southern parts of Kostanay region and Akmola region, the western and southern parts of Karaganda region, the southern and the eastern parts of Aktobe region are the most exposed to the drought.
Almaty. July 24. Kazakhstan Today - Measures of support of domestic agricultural producers aimed at preempting consequences of the drought were discussed at today's session of the Government chaired by Prime Minister Karim Massimov, Kazakhstan Today reports.
According to the Prime Minister's official website, earlier, the President gave the Government specific instructions on timely preparation for the harvesting campaign and rendering necessary assistance to domestic agricultural producers affected by unfavorable weather conditions.
Dry weather conditions affecting agriculture are observed in some regions of Kazakhstan this year. The southern parts of Kostanay region and Akmola region, the western and southern parts of Karaganda region, the southern and the eastern parts of Aktobe region are the most exposed to the drought.
In accordance with the Ministry of Agriculture, 33% of grain crops are in good condition, 55% - in satisfactory condition, 12% - in bad condition, 94 thousand ha of crops were lost. The crops in Kostanay region were affected by the drought the most, only 18% of the crops are in good condition there.
In accordance with the instructions of the President, a set of measures consisting of seven activities is planned to be taken.
The first is cancelation of financing of transportation costs of grain exporters from August 1 this year which is presently economically unviable.
Secondly. The Ministry of Agriculture, regional akimats and akimats of Astana and Almaty, "KazAgro" Holding and the Union of Grain Processors are proposed to sign memorandums on supply of 1.3 million tons of grain to flour mills at a fixed price of 28 thousand tenge per one ton for the period from August 1, 2012 till August 1, 2013.
It is worth noting that the scheme of grain transportation is expected to be changed due to the drought: the grain will be transported only from those grain-collecting stations which are located in the regions exposed to the drought less than the others, in particular, from the grain elevators in North Kazakhstan region and the northern parts of Kostanay and Akmola regions.
The third measure is prolongation of credits of agricultural producers.
The fourth is provision of livestock producers and poultry breeders with fodder. In this regard, KZT 1.8 billion tenge needs to be allocated from the Government reserve to reimburse the expenses of agrarians for breeding livestock handling.
The fifth is the measures on prevention of infringement of interests of the agricultural producers by insurance companies regarding insured crops.
The sixth is provision of agricultural producers with seeds for 2013.
The seventh is provision of the regions affected by the drought with additional amounts of diesel fuel for fodder conservation.
These measures are aimed to preempt the drought consequences, provide the regions with food grain and fodder, prevent increase of prices for flour and bread.
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