What do you know about the Kazakh manufacturer of sprinkler machines BNK Irrigation?

BNK Irrigation is the only turnkey sprinkler manufacturer in Kazakhstan. Murat Katybayev, Head of Irrigation Department of the company, gave an exclusive interview to World of NAN journalist.

- How did you come to start your own production of sprinklers in Kazakhstan?

- We have been working in the field of irrigation since 2019. We started by selling drip irrigation systems and Chinese sprinklers. Recently, we have been selling Turkish sprinklers. However, over time, we came to the realization that all responsibility to farmers falls on us, and the main profit is received by the factory manufacturer. That is, we provide service, solve problems with defects and breakdowns. Thus, all our earnings were spent on maintenance. Therefore, we decided to move away from this system, and last year, together with American colleagues with the support of the Akimat of the region we launched our own production of sprinkling machines. Already in November last year we produced the first machine. We have our own fields in Turkestan region, and there we installed two sprinkler machines, three-span about 160-170 meters. We started the water, and they are working perfectly. Now at the moment we have already shipped 37 sprinklers.

- Does it mean that your company assembles American brands of sprinkling machines?

- Not quite so, our technology is an analog of Spanish sprinklers. But we have an advantage in that we use Russian metal in production, it is more durable and qualitative, without impurities. Therefore, the sprinkler is a little heavier than its counterparts, thus it is more resistant to wind gusts and irregularities in the fields. But we do have American component parts from Nelson Irrigation and UMC. We work together with them.

- We have such a stereotype - not to trust domestic manufacturers. How do you deal with it?

- Of course, we face it. There is one region that considers us, let's say, untrustworthy. But I am grateful to those who trusted us and are following our path, we will be working closely with them. Moreover, we give our customers a three-year warranty. Within three years, if something fails, our team will troubleshoot it. Why did we decide to do this? To build trust with farmers.

- Can you say that your machines are better than the American ones?

- I can't say that. We are certainly not better than the giants of production. They have been in the market for over 50 years. I can only be grateful to them because they have shown us that this technology works. They taught us how to use the machines properly and how to do the calculations, what crops are suitable, etc. Simply put, we have adopted their experience. However, foreign technologies are very expensive for our farmers. And the factory manufacturer is not responsible for anything. The representatives in Kazakhstan are responsible for everything. Therefore, to some extent, the farmer does not receive proper technical service.

- What advantages in maintenance do you have?

- Since the end of 2022, we came to the point that just buying sprinklers for a farmer is not attractive as getting a turnkey solution. So we started building the infrastructure - that's pipe laying. Slowly we started to make our own pumping stations. So, step by step, we are moving towards closing the whole cycle. If a farmer comes to us, he gets the whole range of services. Plus we have a price advantage, as we do not pay for shipping and customs duties.

- What should be considered when selecting sprinklers?

- The most important thing in the selection of sprinklers regardless of the manufacturer is the correct calculation. That is, the right sprinkler to pick up taking into account the terrain, wind gusts, aridity of the region and soil characteristics. We often do not analyze the soil and start watering. For some regions this type of irrigation is not suitable. Either you need to lower the sprinklers or make the dispersion more. We can help with that too. That is, you can come to the factory, and we will prepare the machine to your specifications. 

- Does the state support domestic manufacturers of sprinkling machines?

- From the side of the regional akimat there is assistance in organizing meetings with farmers. They actively promote transition to water-saving technologies. Today we all understand very well that in the future Kazakhstan will face deficit of water resources. Therefore, our task is to introduce and disseminate water-saving technologies everywhere.

Смотрите больше интересных агроновостей Казахстана на нашем канале telegram, узнавайте о важных событиях в facebook и подписывайтесь на youtube канал и instagram.