ALMATY, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) will allocate about 2 million U.S. dollars to support the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices in northern Kazakhstan, the country's Ministry of Agriculture reported Monday.
According to the agreement signed between the UNDP and Kazakhstan's national grain operator, the Food Contract Corporation (FCC), the initiative is being implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and the UNDP, with support from the Global Environment Facility.
The partnership provides forward financing to agricultural producers over three years for the cultivation of legumes and perennial grasses. In return, farmers will apply modern agricultural technologies, follow crop rotation practices, and diversify their sown areas.
"By combining the efforts of state institutions and international partners, we aim to strengthen Kazakhstan's food security and support farmers in transitioning to environmentally friendly and financially sustainable farming practices," said UNDP Resident Representative in Kazakhstan Katarzyna Wawiernia during the signing ceremony.
FCC Chairman Asylkhan Dzhuwashev noted that Kazakhstan has become the first country in Central Asia to join this program. He said the collaboration with the UNDP will help diversify crop production and introduce new mechanisms to stimulate agribusiness development in Kazakhstan. ■