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German-Kazakh Agricultural Political Dialogue (APD) coordinated an experts’ exchange regarding Kazakhstan’s subsidy policies in the agribusiness sectors: Analysis of status quo and recommendations on improvements based on international experience.
On 09.12.2021, the project German-Kazakh Agricultural Political Dialogue (APD), implemented by AFC, held a Round Table on the topic of Agricultural Subsidies with about 50 participants (30 online) from state institutions, the private sector and science from Kazakhstan and Germany. Yerbol Yessenyev, Atameken’s Director of the Agribusiness Department, moderated the event, which was held in a hybrid format.
Mr. Akylbek Kurishbayev, Member of Senate, Committee on Agrarian Affairs, Nature Management and Rural Development and Ms. Saule Moldabaeva Director of the Strategic Planning and Analysis Department from the Ministry of Agriculture in Kazkahstan and Dieter Görtz from the Department of EU-Finance within the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture, welcomed the audience from the political sides. Vice-Minister Mr. Rustem Kurmanov from the Ministry of Agriculture took part online.
After that, the APD Team leader Alexander Barnewitz introduced the project’s objective to support the national ambitions to improve the state measures by events like this Round Table. Mr. Akhylbek Kurishbaev gave an insight view of the point of view of the senators as Member of the Parliament of Kazakhstan Committee on Agrarian Issues, nature Management and Development of Rural areas. From the German Agribusiness Alliance, Dirk Stratmann, shared the German private sector’s understanding and vision for the bilateral trade relations. He explicitly mentioned the hope for continued strong state support with a focus not only on traditional machineries but also on the latest modern technologies and input materials, which can strengthen Kazakhstan’s efforts in improving the digitalization of its agricultural sector.
As short-term expert for the APD project, Professor Martin Petrick from the University of Gießen presented a scientific analysis of Kazakhstan’s agricultural subsidy system in the light of Russian and Ukrainian experience. It showed that Kazakhstan’s agricultural output growth exceeds that of peers such as Russia and Ukraine. Mr. Petrick emphasized the importance to scrutinize the implementation as well as the administration, especially of credit subsidies. Dauren Oshakbayev from the Center of Applied Research reported about the principles of subsidy evaluation and Alexander Barnewitz presented the results of a survey, which APD conducted together with ATAMEKEN among farmers with regard to their engagement in subsidies.
In the intensive and broad discussion after the presentations, Ms. Saule Moldabaeva explained the approach of the Ministry of Agriculture and underlined that the effectivity of subsidies is quite difficult to assess and should be monitored permanently. It was mentioned, that also the quality of education has an impact on their effectivity.
All participants agreed on the statement that as important as the overall volume of subsidies is its proper focus and administration.
The APD project is funded by the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL).
Soon, all presentations will be available here: www.agrardialog-kaz.de
For further information, please, turn to Stefanie.maak [at] afci.de.