August 14 2008, 08:55

Kazakhstan: potato harvest to forecast at 160.000 tonnes in Pavlograd oblast

This year, from the fields of Pavlograd oblast, harvest of potatoes is forecasted at 160.000 tonnes, "Kazakhstan Today" reported referring to Kairat Nurpeisov, the head of the region.

"The weather conditions this year were quite complicate for Pavlograd agrarians. Nevertheless, due to undertaken measures in vegetable-growing, in particular, as for potato, we expect for a good harvest,"- the head of the oblast told. According to his data, they will harvest 160.000 tonnes of potato. The average yield is expected at 500 c/ha.

"Today, we pay special attention to maximal use of our possibilities and expand irrigated areas. There are the farms that purchased and installed unique contemporary watering equipment. This machinery allows maximally moistening soils and receiving good harvest",- K. Nurpeisov said. In particular, as the region's head informed, this spring the agro-farm "Zarya" acquired nearly 20 units of machinery and equipment, including, for conduction of the sowing campaign, cultivation, harvesting and processing of potatoes. The total cost of techniques was over $20.821.

"The most important is to execute tasks, set by the President of our country. I think that new technologies, new technique, equipment will allow us considerably increasing potato production in the nearest years,"- K. Nurpeisov underlined.

He reported that this spring the sowing area under potatoes was increased by 400 ha. As a result, the total area increased to 11.000 ha. The head of the region is confident that due to undertaken measures they will avoid the prices growth for this products.

"Production is production, now we need to bring potatoes from the fields to the concrete customer. Taking into account unstable prices, it was decided and there was assignment by the President to restrain prices growth, "- the head of Pavlograd oblast reminded. He also reported that in the territory of the region they expand areas of vegetable warehouses for the round-year provision of population with fresh products. The largest warehouse is under construction in the farm "Zarya". The project's cost is over $1 mln. Here it will be possible to store up to 15.000 tonnes of potatoes. In total, to date, there are 76 vegetable warehouses with total capacity of 76.000 tonnes in the oblast.

Pavlograd oblast is a traditional supplier of vegetables to the markets of the western regions of the Republic as well as to the cities Astana, Alma-Ata and Karaganda. The harvesting campaign and products delivery from the fields will start in September.