ASTANA, Kazakhstan, November 27. Expanding agricultural output in Kazakhstan could bolster regional food security, Ekaterina Benjamin, International Finance Corporation's (IFC) Country Officer for Kazakhstan, told Trend.
"Kazakhstan's food sector holds significant promise, given its dominant role in wheat and flour manufacturing, extensive land reserves, and substantial capacity for producing and exporting organic goods," she said.
According to her, Kazakhstan remains Central Asia’s largest grain producer, capable of exporting approximately half of all the grain it produces each year.
"Indeed, wheat currently accounts for 80 percent of grain production in the country. However, Kazakhstan also cultivates crops like barley, cotton, sunflower seeds, and rice, offering substantial opportunities for production. We believe that the agricultural sector's potential has yet to be fully realized. Although around 75 percent of the country's land is suitable for farming, only about 30 percent is currently utilized for agriculture. Expanding agricultural output could bolster regional food security and generate employment, as agriculture provides a livelihood for approximately one in three Kazakhs," Benjamin said.
She said investments of IFC in KazFoodProduct is a significant stride in supporting agribusiness in Kazakhstan.
"Our funding will assist the group in its sustainable expansion, thereby enhancing food security and job prospects. Additionally, we're aiding the company in becoming the first in the country to attain an EDGE Gender Equality Certification, which establishes benchmarks and standards for workplace gender parity," she noted.
Ekaterina Benjamin pointed out that in March, IFC also hosted a workshop on food safety, bringing together industry leaders and IFC regional specialists to exchange insights and expertise on contemporary, globally acknowledged food safety management standards.
"This initiative aims to empower local businesses to fortify their presence in the domestic market, expand into new markets, and mitigate costs and risks. We believe that prioritizing knowledge dissemination, active public awareness, and fostering unity within the food industry will propel the country forward, ensuring that products labeled "Made in Kazakhstan" will be highly sought after both domestically and internationally," she said.
