Spring planting campaign underway in Kazakhstan, 4.5 mln hectares sown — Agriculture MinistryKazakh farmers have begun the spring planting campaign in nearly all regions, Deputy Agriculture Minister Azat Sultanov said on Tuesday.“As of today, planting has started in virtually all regions. Some 4.5 million hectares have been sown, including about 2 million hectares of grain crops, more than 1 million hectares of oilseeds, 388,000 hectares of forage crops, 206,300 hectares of vegetables, melons and potatoes, and 154,000 hectares of cotton,” Sultanov said during a government meeting.According to Sultanov, the total area under crops this year will amount to 23.8 million hectares, up 180,000 hectares from last year.Priority is being given to high-margin crops, with acreage under such crops expected to expand. The area under oilseeds will exceed 4 million hectares, up 74,000 hectares year-on-year, while forage crops will cover 3.3 million hectares, an increase of 237,000 hectares.At the same time, the area under grain crops will decrease by 127,000 hectares, including a reduction of 125,000 hectares in wheat plantings, to 12.1 million hectares, Sultanov said.He added that the planting campaign is currently proceeding at a good pace.“We need to complete planting within the optimal agronomic timeframe without losing momentum. (…) The ministry is monitoring the progress of the spring campaign. Regional administrations must pay special attention to the timeliness and proper implementation of all agrotechnical measures, including planting schedules, fertilizer application, locust control and other necessary work,” Sultanov said. (ICE ALMATY)

Fonte notizia: INTERFAX