In early August, negotiations took place in Shymkent that could become the starting point for a major agricultural breakthrough in the region. The Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Aidarbek Saparov, met with the Chairman of the Board of the Turkish company Sine Midas Stroy, Ahmet Budan. The meeting also discussed the participation of the Polish company Fabe Agro in a large-scale agro-industrial project. We are talking about the construction of a modern greenhouse with a capacity of 36 thousand tons of tomatoes per year, which will be one of the largest projects in Central Asia. The total cost of investments is estimated at 120 million US dollars.

The Minister noted that Kazakhstan is interested in high-tech investments in the agricultural sector. According to him, the project will not only strengthen the country's food security, but also create export-oriented production. In conditions when the demand for environmentally friendly vegetables is growing not only within the country, but also in foreign markets, such a project is becoming strategically important.

Today, greenhouse farming in Kazakhstan is already developing, but most complexes are limited to the domestic market and have relatively low productivity. For example, in 2015-2017, several greenhouses with a capacity of 5 to 7 thousand tons of produce per year were opened in Shymkent and nearby areas. They partially solved the problem of seasonal vegetable shortages, but due to high costs and the lack of large-scale investments, some enterprises eventually reduced production. The new project is fundamentally different: it is designed for long-term sustainability, the use of innovative technologies and an export focus.

The future greenhouse in Shymkent will allow growing tomatoes all year round, regardless of weather conditions. For this purpose, it is planned to introduce automated climate control systems, drip irrigation and energy-efficient lighting. Such technologies are successfully used today in Turkey and Poland, and will now be introduced in Kazakhstan. This means that the country will be able to produce fresh tomatoes not only in summer, but also in winter, when vegetable prices traditionally increase several times.

The economic significance of the project is enormous. First of all, these are hundreds of new jobs for residents of the region. The greenhouse will require agronomists, engineers, technologists and workers. In addition, the project will require the creation of related infrastructure: transport and logistics centers, processing facilities. Thus, the multiplier effect of the greenhouse construction will affect several sectors of the economy at once.

The project is also of great social importance. Vegetables, particularly tomatoes, are an important part of the diet of the people of Kazakhstan. Today, a significant portion of tomatoes consumed in winter are imported from neighboring countries. This increases the dependence of the domestic market on external supplies and affects prices. With the advent of the new complex, the share of imported tomatoes will be significantly reduced, which means that consumers will be able to receive a more affordable and fresh domestically produced product.

If we compare the current initiative with previous similar projects, we can see obvious progress. Previously, greenhouse complexes were created mainly by domestic investors and had a limited scale. At best, they provided for one region or city. The new project is designed not only to provide for the domestic market, but also to go beyond it. With proper organization of export, Kazakhstani tomatoes can take a worthy place in the markets of Russia, China and the Persian Gulf countries, where there is a high demand for fresh vegetables in the winter season.

Historically, Shymkent and the southern regions of Kazakhstan in general have always paid attention to agriculture. Cotton, vegetables, and melons were grown here. However, for many years the industry developed according to old schemes, and depended on weather conditions and manual labor. Today, the situation is changing: the agricultural sector is gradually becoming high-tech. The construction of a greenhouse with a capacity of 36 thousand tons is a striking example of the transition from traditional farming to an innovative approach.

In the future, the implementation of such projects will allow Kazakhstan to gradually diversify the economy and reduce its dependence on raw material exports. After all, the agricultural sector has enormous potential, especially with the correct use of modern technologies and the attraction of foreign investment.

Following the talks in early August, the parties confirmed their readiness to speed up the signing of the investment agreement and begin practical steps in the near future. If the process goes according to plan, in a few years Shymkent will become not only a major industrial and cultural center, but also a leader in vegetable production.

Thus, the upcoming implementation of the project to build a modern greenhouse in Shymkent opens a new page in the history of the agricultural sector of Kazakhstan. Unlike previous local initiatives, this program is systemic, has international participation and is oriented towards the long-term perspective. It is capable of changing not only the appearance of agriculture in the region, but also the place of Kazakhstan in the global agricultural market.