The President got acquainted with the progress of the harvesting campaign

Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's working trip to the North Kazakhstan region began with a visit to the fields of Service Zhars LLP in the village of Baiterek of the Kyzylzhar district. The head of state got acquainted with the state of grain crops, examined agricultural machinery used in harvesting work.

During the conversation with the heads of agricultural formations and machine operators, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev recalled that in his recent Address he set a number of tasks for the development of the agricultural industry.

"We need to improve and tidy up our subsidy policy. I said this in the Address, everything should be clear here. There are opinions that in the future subsidies will become a thing of the past — they will be replaced by loans at low interest rates. But now we must help agricultural producers," the Head of State said.

Along with this, the President pointed out the need for a flexible tariff policy, expressing concern about the decline in exports of finished processed products, in particular, flour.

"We traditionally supply flour to the markets of Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan. I believe that the Government as a whole and the Ministry of Trade should deal more substantively with the issues of tariff regulation. The government is raising the question of introducing an export duty on grain in the future. But now, given the current situation, I think it is premature to do so. Therefore, we need to include a subsidy mechanism to help producers, especially flour producers. We must supply finished, processed products with a high level of added value," Kassym-Jomart Tokayev emphasized.

The head of state also spoke about the need to provide the agro-industrial complex with advanced technology.

"From the side of the Government, the agrarians should be provided with assistance in providing such equipment. If there is no modern technology, our agriculture will not develop. It is obvious. Therefore, the Government, on my instructions, will continue to implement the relevant policy. Secondly, this technique should be available to all farmers. With regard to loans, this policy will continue. The loan rate should be low. I attach great importance to this issue," the President said.

In addition, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev heard the report of the akim of the North Kazakhstan region Kumar Aksakalov on the socio-economic situation in the region and the prospects for the development of the agro-industrial complex.

Source: https://www.akorda.kz/ru/prezident-oznakomilsya-s-hodom-uborochnoy-kampanii-785332