Organic Conference in Kazakhstan: Results

The international conference on organic farming was held on September 18 in the city of Mamlyutka, in the North Kazakhstan region. The event, jointly organized by the Czech company AGRIWELL and the Akimat of Mamlyutka, attracted leading specialists and experts in organic agriculture from various countries. Participants had the opportunity to delve deeper into current challenges facing the sector and share their experiences.

The significance of the event was further emphasized by its focus on environmental and agribusiness issues, as highlighted in a speech by the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

"We have significant potential for the production of organic and eco-friendly products, which are in demand not only in our country but also abroad,"
said Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

In this context, the organic conference demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainable development and environmental principles, aligning with national priorities and strengthening Kazakhstan's position in the global organic products market.

Growth Prospects for Organic Farming in Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan is an attractive supplier of organic raw materials for the European market for several reasons. Firstly, the country boasts vast areas of agricultural land and is already actively producing a variety of organic products, such as flax and wheat, which are exported to Europe. Secondly, Kazakhstan offers competitive prices for high-quality goods. As a result, Kazakhstan, as a supplier of organic raw materials, presents unique opportunities to the European market, creating mutually beneficial conditions for cooperation.

Kazakhstan is already a leading supplier of organic flax to Europe, and the city of Mamlyutka, with its 131,000 hectares of cultivated land, part of which is used for organic production, is becoming a key hub in this field. The city's mayor, Elena Stepanenko, noted that the conference helps establish new business connections between local producers and European companies, which is particularly relevant given the growing demand for organic products.

AGRIWELL in Kazakhstan

Valery Torejev, the CEO of AGRIWELL, stated that the company has been cooperating with Kazakhstan for over 15 years. He mentioned that AGRIWELL provides a full range of agronomic consulting services to support agricultural producers in transitioning from conventional to organic farming. This includes selecting agro-technologies and assisting with certification according to international standards. AGRIWELL supports the entire cycle of the transition to organic production, from planning future harvests to sales. Valery Torejev also noted that AGRIWELL is focused on expanding its activities into new markets and seeking innovative solutions that could contribute to more efficient resource use and greater sustainability in agriculture.

Innovation and Prospects

Boris Boincean, Dr. habil. in Agricultural Sciences, professor, researcher, and corresponding member of the Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Moldova, as well as an expert in sustainable agroecosystems, emphasized the importance of organic farming in the context of climate change during his presentation. He pointed out that organic farming can not only reduce the burden on ecosystems but also achieve yields comparable to traditional methods, while consuming significantly fewer non-renewable resources and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40%.

"Of course, we all live in a market economy and must focus on profitability," the scientist said. "But we don’t think about the consequences – neither for nature nor for people. You apply nitrogen to the soil and see an increase in yield. But what are the consequences? We must understand that market laws do not override the laws of nature. For example, in nature, there are no weeds or pests – they are part of the ecosystem. Therefore, we must work according to these principles. We have no right to dominate nature. No market laws can negate the principle of crop rotation, the principle of returning to the soil what the harvest has taken from it. Only in this way can we ensure the health of both the soil and people."

During the conference, there was also a presentation of books by Boris Boincean, co-authored with his international colleagues. Guests had the opportunity to meet the author in person and receive a signed copy of one of his books as a gift.

Another key highlight of the conference was the presentation by representatives of the American company NuSeed, who introduced the latest advancements in sunflower seed production technology.

Regulation and Support

The conference also focused on the legal aspects of the development of organic farming in Europe. Hanspeter Schmidt, a German lawyer specializing in organic agriculture and the certification of organic products, discussed the regulation of organic products on the European market, including the requirements for internal control and the transition to new certification standards within the European Union.

Hanna Winkler, Policy Manager at IFOAM (Austria), delivered a presentation on the benefits of organic farming for climate and biodiversity. She emphasized the need to improve methodologies such as the Product Environmental Footprint (PEF) to better reflect the environmental impact of organic farming and prevent misleading perceptions among consumers.

Corporate Social Responsibility of AGRIWELL

A special moment of the conference was the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between AGRIWELL and the Youth Sports School. As part of this agreement, AGRIWELL expressed its commitment to support the hockey team of Mamlyutka by providing 22 sets of hockey gear. This significant event symbolizes the company's efforts not only to advance organic farming but also to support social and sports initiatives in the region, creating new opportunities for young people.

Results and Prospects

The conference was an important step towards the development of organic farming in the North Kazakhstan region and served as a platform for exchanging experiences and establishing contacts that can serve as the foundation for future successful projects. AGRIWELL expresses its gratitude to all the speakers for their contributions to the sector and to all the conference guests for their active participation and fruitful discussions. Special thanks go to the Akimat of Mamlyutka for their warm welcome and hospitality. AGRIWELL is open to collaborations focused on the development of organic farming.