Prodcorporation and UNDP launch a three-year red lentil cultivation program

The national grain resources management operator, Prodcorporation, has announced the launch of applications for financing spring fieldwork. This time, the emphasis is placed on long-term cooperation: the red lentil forward procurement program is designed for three years and is being implemented in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

 

Under the program, farmers are offered an advance financing mechanism with a fixed price of 90,000 tenge per tonne of red lentils. According to the contract terms, agricultural producers undertake to supply the crop by November of the respective year. Full fulfillment of obligations related to advance payments is spread over a long-term period, with deadlines set for March 1 of 2026, 2027, and 2028 respectively.

 

The initiative is being implemented within the UNDP project “Promoting a Sustainable Agricultural Production System and Conservation of Ecosystems in the Landscapes of Northern Kazakhstan.” Farm enterprises from three key grain-producing regions are invited to participate:

 

– North Kazakhstan Region;

– Akmola Region;

– Kostanay Region.

 

The key objective of the program goes beyond financing the sowing campaign and focuses on introducing principles of sustainable agriculture and soil biologization through scientifically grounded crop rotation practices.

 

Prodcorporation has established a set of qualification requirements for potential suppliers. Applicants will undergo a preliminary selection process with the participation of UNDP scientific experts. To be approved, a farm must demonstrate:

 

– A land bank sufficient to implement a scientifically based crop rotation system (with alternation of cereals, oilseeds, and legumes);

– Human resources capacity, including the mandatory presence of a staff agronomist;

– Technical capacity, including the availability of specialized machinery and facilities for seed processing and storage.

 

A distinctive feature of the program is the comprehensive expert support provided to participants. Throughout the entire three-year cycle, farmers will receive ongoing консультации from specialized experts. The support package includes:

 

– Development of individual crop rotation plans;

– Laboratory soil analysis;

– Calculation of indicative yields for leguminous crops;

– Consultations on agrotechnologies and environmental risk assessment.

 

The effectiveness of the program will be assessed not only based on financial indicators but also on the condition of land resources. Upon completion of the project, control measurements of key soil quality indicators are planned, including humus levels, acidity (pH), nutrient content, and productive moisture reserves. This will allow for an analysis of dynamic changes and, if necessary, adjustments to agrotechnical maps to preserve soil fertility in Kazakhstan.