Nearly 400,000 hectares treated against locusts in Turkistan and Zhambyl regions

Kazakhstan is in the midst of large-scale preventive measures to combat locust pests. According to the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan, in 2025 the forecasted area of gregarious locust infestation is expected to reach 2.1 million hectares, which is 1 million hectares less than the same period last year.
As stated at a press conference held at the Central Communications Service with the participation of Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Yermek Kenzhekhanuly, the scale of monitoring and treatment efforts has significantly expanded this year.

More than 4,600 specialists are involved in the surveys — twice as many as in 2024. In each region, operational headquarters have been established under the local akimats, headed by deputy akims, ensuring rapid and coordinated response to identified outbreaks.

To improve the effectiveness of pest control operations, the productivity standards for spraying equipment were revised in 2025. This allowed for a greater number of equipment units to be deployed. In total, 443 units of equipment will be used for chemical treatments, including ground sprayers, aerosol generators, ultralight aircraft, airplanes, and drones.

Due to budget savings in 2024, an additional 53 drones were purchased (46 for spraying, 7 for monitoring), along with 68 vehicles for inspectors.

Special attention is being paid to the digitalization of phytosanitary monitoring. In cooperation with JSC "Ғарыш Сапары" (Kazakhstan Gharysh Sapary), the automated information system FitoSpace is being implemented, and a geoinformation monitoring system using drones and artificial intelligence technologies is under development.

Kazakhstan also maintains active cooperation with neighboring countries. Under bilateral agreements, data exchange is carried out, joint surveys of border areas are conducted with Uzbekistan, Russia, China, and Kyrgyzstan, and coordinated actions are taken to prevent the migration of pests.

According to the Republican Center for Phytosanitary Diagnostics and Forecasts, 1.49 million hectares have been surveyed to date. Of these, 400,900 hectares are subject to treatment, and 397,300 hectares have already been treated — with the largest share in Turkistan Region (367,300 ha) and Zhambyl Region (29,400 ha).
The Ministry of Agriculture is maintaining strict control over the implementation of protection measures.

🔑 Key Takeaways:
🔹 In 2025, locusts are expected to spread over 2.1 million ha — 1 million ha less than last year.
🔹 Crop protection efforts have scaled up: 4,600+ specialists and 443 units of equipment, including drones and aircraft, are engaged.
🔹 397,300 ha already treated, with 367,300 ha in Turkistan and 29,400 ha in Zhambyl.