Kazakhstan launches large-scale 2026 spring sowing campaign

Kazakhstan has officially launched its spring sowing campaign across all regions of the country. The announcement was made by Vice Minister of Agriculture Azat Sultanov during a government meeting. According to him, farmers have already gained strong momentum in field operations, while the total sowing area this year will reach 23.8 million hectares, which is 180 thousand hectares more than last year.

The Kazakh government is focusing on highly profitable crops this season. In particular, the area dedicated to oilseed crops will exceed 4 million hectares, while forage crops will cover 3.3 million hectares. Authorities also plan to expand corn cultivation to 265 thousand hectares in order to supply raw materials for new corn-processing investment projects. Additional attention will be given to potato production, with planting areas increasing to support the domestic food market.

At the same time, Kazakhstan continues diversifying its agricultural sector. Grain crop areas will be reduced by 127 thousand hectares, including a 125-thousand-hectare reduction in wheat fields. The country is also optimizing rice and cotton cultivation based on available water resources. More farmland is being shifted to drip irrigation systems to improve water efficiency and sustainability.

As of mid-May, farmers in Kazakhstan have already sown 4.5 million hectares of land. Grain crops account for nearly 2 million hectares, while oilseeds exceed 1 million hectares. Active sowing of forage crops, vegetables, potatoes, and cotton is also underway. The Ministry of Agriculture reported that 94% of winter crops are currently in good condition.

To improve oversight of the campaign, Kazakhstan has introduced a new digital monitoring system with elements of artificial intelligence for the first time in 2026. The platform is expected to automate data exchange, improve analytics, and speed up decision-making in the agricultural sector. According to Vice Minister Sultanov, all agricultural machinery and seed supplies are fully prepared to complete the sowing campaign within the optimal agronomic timeframe.