Zhambyl farmers lose money on sugar beet

As reported by Zhambyl region's department of agriculture, in 2013, it was planned to sow 2 140 hectares with this vegetable. In the autumn, just over 700 hectares were harvested. The estimated purchase price was KZT 11.9 per one kilo, but the sugar mills agreed to buy it for almost half price - KZT 6 - 6.5 per kilogram.

According to Kanat Shayhiev, director of "Sypatay batyr" farming partnership in the region's Merke district, the farmers refused to sell beetroots at such a low price, they prefer selling it as cattle feed. Moreover, they had to replow 200 out of 300 hectares of beet plantations to sow corn to recoup for loss.

"Last year, we paid the full amount pledged, - said Arman Zhumin, director of a sugar factory in Merke. - The sugar factory had to pay KZT 6 000 of the entitled KZT 12 000 per tonne and the remaining KZT 6 000 had to be covered by the state, but this subsidy has never come and we suffered heavy losses".

As a result, today Zhambyl farmers are not interested in the cultivation of sugar beet and domestic sugar mills are still working on imported sugar cane thereby investing in the transatlantic economy.

However, Zhambyl agriculture department is still seeking to revive the once thriving industry in the region. In 2014, 7.5 hectares are planned to be sown with sugar beet. In Merke district, the acreage of sugar beet will increase to three hectares.

Zhambyl region has adopted a program for promoting the cultivation of sugar beet and sugar production in the hope of replicating earlier achievements of the region, for Zhambyl region once used to grow sugar beet on ​​over 42 hectares and the average yield reached nearly 300 centners per hectare.