Yerbol Karashukeyev retained his ministerial seat

He assumed the post of minister in September 2021, replacing Saparkhan Omarov. The editorial staff of World of NAN decided to remember Karashukeyev's work up to that time.

At the time of his appointment there was a terrible drought in Mangistau region, which led to the mass death of livestock. Many believed that Karashukeyev was appointed to handle the acute issue of fodder shortages.

Upon assuming the post of Minister, the new head of the agency began his work with the initiative of opening a special account for those affected by the drought. The employees of the Ministry of Agriculture were the first to transfer their one-day salaries; later all citizens who cared about this issue supported the good cause. The minister met with farmers, visited settlements and private farms.

Perhaps the toughest test of strength for the minister was the situation after the drought - the sugar rush in the fall of 2022. This was what incensed not only the common people, but also the President himself.

Karashukeyev, along with the then Minister of Trade, received a reprimand.

"We are 90% dependent on imported sugar. One can refer here to the decision within the EAEU, but in any case, it is a serious miscalculation of the government. It means that they have not protected the position of the state. Therefore, I hereby reprimand ministers Bakhyt Sultanov and Yerbol Karashukeyev," Tokayev said at the time.

However, despite the tense situation and the difficult situation in the industry, the minister remained in his chair.

But in the veterinary system Karashukeyev made some progress. Take for example the increase of veterinarians salaries. Last year it was increased by 50%, and this year it will be already increased by 30-50%.

Beetroot growers were also supported. After the situation with the cosmic rise in sugar prices, they were heard. The Ministry of Agriculture increased the norm of subsidizing of sugar beet production from 15 to 25 thousand tenge for each ton of sugar beet. 

Under Karashukeyev's management the country got the biggest yield of grain. Though, of course, the minister had no direct influence on the yield, nevertheless, this achievement will be attributed to the years of his work. Gross harvest of grain was 22.1 million tons. Of these, 16.4 million tons is the share of wheat. This is one of the highest indicators in the past 10 years.

Despite some positive moments in the field, farmers often ask for Y. Karashukeyev's dismissal as Minister of Agriculture. Because it was his responsibility to reform the subsidy system. And these changes are not to everyone's liking.

The biggest resonance was caused by the new electronic system of subsidies distribution gosagro.kz. The raw project should have started working by now, but in fact farmers see only mistakes and problems. There is a lot of negativity in this system and it will take a long time to deal with it.

Also, changes in the subsidy system do not suit the milk processors, who will receive money only after the sale of products. And the processors have been making outcry for a long time, but apparently their arguments are not considered valid arguments for the officials.

Under the new minister, who seems to have an economic education and should understand the market conditions, the practice of closing the export of agricultural products has remained. And no matter how much the farmers say this is bad, judging by the situation with onions, it will never change.

Reforms in the subsidy system also raise many questions. But only time will tell how they will work. Today Yerbol Karashukeyev has kept his chair, and in the future he will be responsible for all the changes made.

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