How Rainstorms Could Affect Kazakhstan’s Harvest

In the first half of July this year, Kazakhstan experienced heavy rainfall, which had a significant impact on the country's agricultural sector, according to the Ministry of Agriculture. Currently, local authorities report that about 70% of all crops are in good condition, while the remaining 30% are assessed as satisfactory.

Since the beginning of spring, some agronomic experts have expressed concerns that the country could face drought following spring floods. They believe that heavy water flows could have washed away the fertile soil layer. There was also a possibility that water, by eroding septic tanks and livestock graves, could have transferred various pathogens to the fields. During the summer, prolonged rainstorms and strong winds were observed in regions including Aktobe and Kostanay, creating challenges for comprehensive monitoring and chemical treatment of lands. However, these weather conditions also helped to slow the growth of locust populations.

Nevertheless, thanks to the current favorable weather conditions, the Ministry of Agriculture is optimistic and predicts a good harvest. Preliminary forecasts suggest that this year's wheat harvest could reach about 13 million tons, significantly higher than last year’s figures. Protective measures against locust swarms have been successfully completed in the East Kazakhstan, Kyzylorda, Pavlodar, North Kazakhstan, Turkestan, Ulytau, and Zhetysu regions.