Pasture Reclamation Project Launched in Kazakhstan with Participation of Swiss Company
Chairman of the Management Board of “NC “KAZAKH INVEST” JSC Yerzhan Yelekeyev and Director of “Harvest Agro Holding” LLP Daulet Uvashev signed a framework agreement to implement a large-scale agro-industrial cluster project. The project envisions the conversion of 150,000 hectares of pasture and grazing lands into irrigated agricultural land using underground water and modern water-saving technologies in the initial phase, with a further expansion to 300,000 hectares.
The project is being implemented on the basis of “Harvest Agro Holding” LLP, which is part of the international Harvest Group SA, and covers the Zhambyl, Almaty, Zhetysu, Turkistan, Pavlodar, Kyzylorda, and East Kazakhstan regions. In the first phase, 150,000 hectares will be developed with a total investment of approximately $500 million and the creation of 1,050 permanent jobs across the regions. On the prepared lands, the investor plans to cultivate high-value crops for export and feed purposes — primarily corn and soybeans.
Key project activities include engineering-geological and agrochemical surveys (including drilling, hydrogeological, geophysical, and topographic-geodetic work), the design and installation of irrigation and water intake systems, the extension of energy and engineering infrastructure, land preparation, and the launch of agricultural production.
According to Daulet Uvashev, Director of “Harvest Agro Holding” LLP, the project is aimed at building sustainable agricultural infrastructure and will contribute to the national goal of increasing irrigated land to 2.5 million hectares by 2030. Expected outcomes include the reclamation of up to 300,000 hectares of irrigated land, increasing soil productivity by 4–6 times, rational water use through underground sources and moisture-saving technologies, and the stimulation of related investments.
“As part of the project, we plan to cultivate corn and sell it both on the domestic market and for export. I would like to especially thank the national company KAZAKH INVEST for their support. Thanks to their involvement, we were able to significantly accelerate the advancement of the project and move from planning to concrete actions on the ground,” emphasized Uvashev.
Highlighting the significance of the initiative for sustainable agricultural growth and regional development, Chairman of the Management Board of “NC “KAZAKH INVEST” JSC Yerzhan Yelekeyev stated:
“This project demonstrates how vast areas of unused land can be brought back into circulation with maximum efficiency and a responsible approach to resources. We are talking about a large-scale agricultural transformation that touches on infrastructure, employment, and technology, while also strengthening the country’s export potential. The national company KAZAKH INVEST will provide comprehensive support, assisting the investor at every stage of implementation — from design to production launch.”
In the next phases, an Investment Agreement is expected to be signed, formalizing the obligations of the parties and ensuring government support for the project.
