On August 27, an online meeting was held in Shymkent to discuss the harvesting campaign. The city's mayor, heads of relevant departments, district heads, and farm representatives participated in the discussion. The event's format allowed for real-time discussion of pressing issues, the exchange of proposals, and the identification of solutions.

The main topic of the meeting was the current state of agricultural land and the results of this season's work. According to the city's Department of Agriculture, over 30,000 hectares of land are under cultivation in Shymkent, of which approximately 10,000 are planted with grain crops, with the remainder being devoted to corn, vegetables, melons, and forage crops. The average yield this year is expected to exceed 20 centners per hectare, significantly exceeding previous years' results.

This dynamic is largely due to the timely adoption of modern agricultural technologies and more efficient use of irrigated land. Government support measures, including fertilizer subsidies and cheaper fuel for farmers, also played a significant role. Thanks to this, many farms were able to overcome the difficulties associated with the arid climate of recent years.

The meeting participants paid special attention to the challenges farmers face annually. These include a shortage of modern equipment, the need to upgrade combines and tractors, and limited storage capacity. Much of the existing machinery and tractor fleet is outdated, complicating the tight harvesting schedule. A shortage of vegetable storage and warehouse space forces farmers to sell their harvest immediately after harvest at low prices.

The city mayor emphasized that these issues are under special scrutiny. He stated that preferential leasing programs for equipment upgrades will be expanded, and projects are being developed to attract investors for the construction of new logistics centers and warehouse facilities. This will not only reduce crop losses but also strengthen Shymkent's position in the domestic agricultural market.

A key topic of the meeting was the digitalization of the agricultural sector. It was noted that new technologies have the potential to transform the approach to harvesting. This includes the use of satellite monitoring, automated irrigation systems, and online mapping of crop areas. Such tools will not only help conserve resources but also predict yields with high accuracy.

Compared to previous years, the situation is gradually improving. In 2022, due to a severe drought, the harvest in the region was lower than expected, and the harvesting campaign lasted until mid-September. Many farmers suffered losses, and some produce was not harvested at all. In 2023, the situation improved: the government provided assistance in the form of subsidized fuel and fuel subsidies, and work was carried out to support farmers' cooperatives. As a result, the harvest was more organized, although storage issues remained.

The current harvest campaign demonstrates that the lessons learned from previous years have been learned. Authorities identified priority tasks in advance and issued instructions to the responsible departments. Another important achievement was the active participation of farmers themselves, who presented proposals at the meeting. They emphasized the need for closer cooperation between farms, the sharing of equipment, and the joint use of storage facilities. Similar practices are already being implemented in some districts and are yielding positive results.

The meeting also discussed the long-term development prospects of Shymkent's agricultural sector. The discussion focused not only on the harvest season but also on creating conditions for more sustainable growth. Priorities included developing livestock farming, expanding forage crop acreage, implementing scientific advances in crop production, and training agricultural personnel.

Particular emphasis was placed on Shymkent's high agricultural potential, which needs to be utilized more effectively. The city plans to establish agricultural innovation centers where farmers can learn new farming methods and receive expert advice. Similar initiatives have already been implemented in other regions of the country, and now it's Shymkent's turn to emulate this successful experience.

The meeting on August 27 was more than just a working meeting; it was an important step in the development of a new strategy for the city's agricultural development. It demonstrated that, despite the challenges, Shymkent's agricultural sector is developing at a steady pace, and farmers are ready to embrace innovation. The main objective is to unite the efforts of government, business, and agricultural producers to achieve common goals.

If the proposed measures are consistently implemented, in the coming years Shymkent will not only be fully self-sufficient in food but also strengthen its position in foreign markets. Thus, the current harvest campaign could become the starting point for a qualitative leap in the development of the city's agricultural sector.