Kazakhstan completes sowing campaign on 23.7 mln haFarmers in Kazakhstan have completed the sowing campaign, with a total of 23.7 million hectares sown, the country's Agriculture Ministry said.Specifically, 16.6 million ha have been sown with grain and leguminous crops, of which 13 million ha have been allocated for wheat.As reported, this year's overall sowing area exceeds last year's figure by 413,000 ha.As noted, the structure of crop areas has been diversified accounting for scientifically based crop rotation standards, resistance to climate risks, as well as market trends."The areas sown with highly profitable and popular crops have been increased, with the area sown with oilseeds totaling 3.4 million ha, up 500,000 ha year-on-year; the area sown with forage crops totaling 3.3 million ha, up 114,000 hectares year-on-year; corn and grain totaling 167,500 hectares; and vegetable and melon crops totaling 222,300 hectares," the ministry said.The ministry also said that financing for sowing began for the first time six months ahead of the start of fieldwork, totaling 700 billion tenge, or $1.37 billion at the current exchange rate. A guarantee mechanism has been implemented up to 85% of the loan amount in order to expand farmers' access to preferential financing.Preferential leasing of agricultural machinery has totaled 250 billion tenge. (ICE ALMATY)

Fonte notizia: INTERFAX