Kazakhstan Aims to Increase Soybean Output

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In the Republic of Kazakhstan, Soybean production is rapidly developing. In 2011, Soybeans were grown on ​​71 thousand hectares, then the area under Soybeans tripled in 2021 and exceeded 200 thousand hectares. In Kazakhstan, the local climate and the photoperiod length limit the relatively suitable areas for Soybean cultivation. In general, the main share of Soybean areas is concentrated in the southeastern part of the country, mainly in the Almaty region – 83 percent, East Kazakhstan – 9.4 percent, and Kostanay – 3.9 percent. The yield of Soybeans in Kazakhstan under irrigation conditions reaches 5.5 tons per hectare. This crop is in demand and promises farmers high profitability. 

In 2019, 229 thousand metric tons of Soybeans were harvested in Kazakhstan, less than 1% of the global production. In 2020, it totaled 265 thousand metric tons. To expand the acreage of this crop, it is necessary to create new varieties with a high genetic potential for productivity and quality and adaptive to the various soil and climatic zones of the Republic. The country has been trying new, highly productive varieties with high protein and oil content in seeds. In Kazakhstan, 18 varieties of Soybeans have been bred and approved for production at latitudes from 53 to 42°N.

Interest in Soybeans, as well as the area under its crops, is gradually growing in Kazakhstan. The scope of the legume “culture of the future” is expanding, and the Republic of Kazakhstan does not want to stand aside from this global trend. Growth is achieved by expanding the area and increasing the yield, which can be obtained by properly selected varieties adapted to local climatic conditions. Affordable prices and high demand for it attract local farmers. Mr.Alexander Tomashenko, Director of the East Kazakhstan Agricultural Research Institute, says that our task is to increase production in the coming years, inventing new varieties.

SOKO’s Expansion in Kazakhstan’s Soybean Sector

For many years, Russian company Soy Complex (SOKO) company has been successfully testing Soybean varieties of its own selection at the production sites of various sowing agricultural enterprises in Kazakhstan. Now, in the company’s line, there are eight varieties of Soybeans for Kazakhstan. So back in 2016, the BARA variety was registered in the State Register of the Republic of Kazakhstan – for the northern regions – and it is still very much loved by farmers.

Starting from 2019, crops with varieties were planted: DOKA SC (it can be grown in the north of the republic – only on irrigation), VEDA SC (perfect for the natural and climatic conditions of the south of the Republic of Kazakhstan), and RIANA SC (for the south of the Republic of Kazakhstan). And as a result, today, significant areas of Soybeans in the Republic of Kazakhstan are sown with SOKO varieties (According to the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan – about 40% in 2018).

Returning to the results of the meeting of the Republican Commission on variety testing of various agricultural plants, it should be noted that today the “State Register of Breeding Achievements Recommended for Use in the Republic of Kazakhstan” includes over 2,600 varieties and hybrids of agricultural plants (including 31.5 percent varieties and hybrids of domestic selection, 66.3 percent of foreign selection (including Russian), 2.2 percent together with Kazakhstani selection). According to the results of the meeting of the Republican Commission held in December 2021, 15 highly productive varieties and hybrids were recommended for oilseeds use in 2022, including Soybean and Sunflower – 11 (for expansion 2), rapeseed – 3, and mustard – 1.

Other sources: https://www.inform.kz/   

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