Kazakhstan agriculture overview
The development of the virgin lands of Kazakhstan has had a favorable effect on the growth of livestock breeding as well. In the past thirty-odd years, the head of cattle and sheep doubled and that of pigs increased sixfold in Kazakhstan agriculture.
Kazakhstan ranks second in the FSU (Former Soviet Union), next only to Russian Federation, in the head of sheep and third, next to Russian Federation and Ukraine, in the head of cattle and horses. Besides that, camel, maral (a subspecies of red deer) and fur animal breeding is well developed in Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan agriculture facts and features
Kazakhstan agriculture has more than 165 million hectares of pastures, not counting over 50 million hectares of the so-called unsuitable lands such as sands, solonchaks (saline lands), takyrs, brushlands and riverside tugais (almost impassable brushwoods). Hundreds of millions of head of sheep can be grazed on this vast area of Kazakhstan.
In the recent past only fat-rumped, coarse-hair sheep famous for their robustness and endurance were bred in Kazakhstan. Today fine-fleece and semifine-wool sheep breeding has become widespread all over the country, and in the southern districts Karakul sheep farming is widely practiced.
Livestock breeding in Kazakhstan is a highly mechanized industry based on the latest achievements of science and technology. Kazakhstan allocates huge funds for its further development. Hundreds of urban-type settlements with wide streets, blocks of flats that are supplied with water and electricity, and gardens have sprung up in the desert and semi-desert of Kazakhstan. The necessary funds have been allocated for the construction of motor roads, dwelling houses and production.
