Northern Rhapsody – How One Crop is Driving a Farm's Economy

 

In the very heart of the North Kazakhstan region, in the Akkayin district, one of the region's most recognizable farms has been developing for three decades. Founded by Birzhan Shaimerdenov in the early 90s, it has grown from 29 hectares to 30,000 and has become an example of sustainable agribusiness. Behind these figures lie strategy, risk, constant market analysis, and, as practice shows, the ability to bet on the right crops.

Starting with a traditional set of wheat, barley, and oats, the farm long remained a typical grain production enterprise. However, the economic efficiency of this approach began to decline, and the farmer faced the question of diversification.

"The decision to diversify did not come immediately. The impetus came from young specialists who had undergone training and internships in Germany. Upon their return, they suggested we start with crops unusual for the region—for example, rapeseed," says Birzhan Shaimerdenov.

The first attempts were unsuccessful. In the 2000s, 90 hectares of rapeseed did not meet expectations—the equipment failed them. But with the modernization of the machinery and tractor fleet in 2007, the situation changed. Today, this high-yield crop occupies two thousand hectares. It was rapeseed that became the flagship of profitability on the farm.

According to Shaimerdenov, this crop requires high agrotechnical preparation and modern equipment. It is impossible to make a profit without powerful sprayers and a competent protection scheme. The farm uses equipment capable of treating up to 800 hectares per day, which allows for a flexible response to weather conditions and pest threats.

"Even in tough seasons, we got a good rapeseed harvest. For example, in 2017–2018, we managed to avoid losses from pests. At that time, contrary to general recommendations, we sowed the rapeseed late, at the end of May, when our neighbors' sprouts were already being eaten by the cabbage moth. The risk paid off: the harvest was excellent, and the losses were minimal," the farmer shares.

In 2025, the bet is once again on rapeseed: with an average yield of 20 centners per hectare and a selling price of 200,000 tenge per ton, the expected income could reach 800 million tenge. However, the market price for the oilseed at the beginning of October is 235,000 tenge including VAT.

It should be noted that in 2025, the sown area of rapeseed in Kazakhstan amounted to 327,700 hectares, which is twice as much as last year, when the oilseed sowing was 154,700 hectares. In the North Kazakhstan region, according to the Bureau of National Statistics, 224,700 hectares of rapeseed were sown, which is 69% of the total area.

This is not just about profitability, but a tool for financial stability. With such indicators, the farm's debt obligations can be fully covered.

The second most important crop on the farm was lentils. This season, they were sold profitably at 190,000 tenge per ton. This is significantly higher than the subsequent market downturn to 140,000–150,000.

Despite a high pea harvest of 30 centners per hectare, demand for it was low. The farmer admits that "no one can answer who is buying peas now." Unstable demand is one of the markers of market instability for niche crops.

As for the trendy flax, this farm is gradually abandoning it. The reasons are high costs, wear and tear on equipment, and low yields of up to 14 centners per hectare. The farmer does not rule out a partial return to flax, but only with clear agronomic justification.

For feed, the farm uses traditional crops: peas, corn, haylage, and silage. Oats were not sown this year, as last year's reserves were sufficient.

The approach to the seed fund is also interesting. Lentil seeds have already been stored for the next season, and for rapeseed, 90 hectares have been sown for seed purposes to avoid purchasing from external suppliers.

Today, 65% of the farm's area is occupied by grain crops, but the basis of profitability is formed by rapeseed and lentils.