Astana Defines the Future of the 2026 Harvest: Key Outcomes of the “Tukym-2026” Conference

 

ASTANA, December 9, 2025 — Kazakhstan’s capital has concluded one of the country’s key agricultural events — the 5th International Contracting Conference “Seed Day ‘Tukym-2026’”. Held on December 4–5, the forum became the central platform for preparing the upcoming sowing season.

This year, the event gathered a record number of participants: more than 200 experts, top managers of major agroholdings, breeders, and government representatives. The central topic was the strategy to ensure food security through a high-quality seed fund and the localization of foreign hybrids within Kazakhstan.

Organizers noted that the record harvest of 2025 (over 26 million tons of grain) has created new challenges: how to maintain high performance and reduce climate risks.

Localization was at the forefront. Global seed companies are increasingly shifting production to Kazakhstan.

• Jan Dupont, General Director of Lidea in Kazakhstan, presented an expanded lineup of hybrids adapted to the harsh steppe climate.

• Representatives of Norika (Germany) and Saatbau (Austria) showcased results from local partner fields, confirming that Kazakh soil can produce seed of European quality.

The “Meeting with Seed Industry Captains” session drew special interest, highlighting real-world practices from those succeeding in high-risk farming regions.

Farid Abitaev, Director of the “Experimental Farm of Oilseed Crops” (East Kazakhstan), presented a case on successful forage and oilseed cultivation, stressing that “seed is not just a commodity but a technology.”

Svetlana Orekhova, Chief Agronomist of “Zher-1”, demonstrated how proper variety selection ensures stable wheat yields even under Torgai’s arid conditions.

Maxim Chekusov, Director of the Omsk Agricultural Research Center (Russia), discussed cross-border cooperation, noting the strong resilience of Omsk-bred varieties in northern Kazakhstan.

The name “Tukym-2026” proved fitting: hotel corridors turned into negotiation zones. Farmers secured direct contracts for elite seed supplies for the 2026 spring sowing.

A parallel exhibition showcased innovations from Limagrain, MAS Seeds, BASF, and seed processing equipment.

The event was officially supported by the Ministry of Agriculture of Kazakhstan and the National Agrarian Science and Education Center (NANOC). Experts emphasize that “Tukym” is no longer just an exhibition — it has become a strategic hub shaping the “genetic security” of Kazakhstan’s fields.