Alexey Klivenko, director of Shakarim Lab: Scientific support for agriculture is the basis of national food security
In his Address, the Head of State outlined a number of key problems that have accumulated in the agricultural sector. Particular attention is paid to the risks to food security and continued dependence on imports, especially in dairy production and crop production.
The President set specific tasks for the deep modernization of agriculture, the introduction of modern scientific solutions and the integration of agricultural science with education.
We, as representatives of the scientific and educational community, are ready to contribute to the implementation of these tasks. On the basis of Shakarim University, as part of the Shakarim Lab, the region’s first specialized laboratory for soil analysis is being created. There are virtually no similar centers in the region, and our goal is to fill this gap by providing agricultural producers, especially those involved in crop production, with high-quality scientific and analytical support.
Scientifically based soil analysis will allow farmers to make strategic decisions: increase land fertility, effectively use fertilizers, and optimize crop rotation. All this directly leads to increased productivity and reduced costs.
The President specifically focused on the situation in dairy farming. Today, Kazakh manufacturers are in less favorable conditions compared to foreign competitors, which reduces the competitiveness of domestic products. We are already taking concrete steps in this direction. On the basis of university laboratories, studies are carried out on the physiological state of animals, the quality of feed, the composition of soils and the condition of pastures. The data obtained provides local farms with accurate and reliable information, allowing them to manage production based on science and modern technologies.
The development of agriculture is impossible without a close union of science and practice. Only in constant dialogue with local farmers can we take into account their real needs and offer effective scientific solutions.