CA: innovations in the AIC

In preparation for the UN Summit on Food Systems, the heads of the Ministry of Agriculture of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan held a video conference. The meeting is dedicated to the introduction of innovations in the agro-industrial complex and is aimed at holding a dialogue of the member States of the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations) in the run-up to the summit scheduled for September this year.

According to the UN, the ever-growing demand for food is driving the steady expansion of industrial food production using agrochemicals, petrochemicals and electricity. Already today, the AIC accounts for about a quarter of all greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere. Soil erosion and salinization, loss of biodiversity, and environmental pollution are also becoming increasingly apparent consequences of increased food production, especially in Central Asia.

"In this regard, the UN Secretary-General intends to encourage FAO Member States to innovate as the most effective way to make food systems environmentally, socially and economically sustainable. Therefore, he decided to convene a Summit on Food Systems in September this year," Dongyu Qu, Director General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), explained during the event.

Acting Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan Aidarbek Saparov in his speech stressed that the Government of Kazakhstan intends to turn the country into a regional food hub. Therefore, the Ministry of Agriculture of Kazakhstan shares the UN initiative on the transformation of the agricultural sector. Currently, Kazakhstan is developing a National Project for the development of the AIC for the next 5 years, the main goal of which is to ensure the sustainable development of the industry as a single agri-food system, including through the development of agri-science, digitalization and rational use of land resources.

"Within the framework of the National Project, 7 large food ecosystems will be created in priority areas – production and processing of grain and oilseeds, fruits and vegetables, sugar, meat and milk. This will help to stabilize the situation in terms of food supplies not only to the domestic market, but also to the markets of neighboring countries. Taking into account that the competent internationa.organization FAO is involved in the development of the document, the document will take into account the principles and approaches for the development of food systems, sustainable food production and agriculture, provided for by the UN Sustainable Development Goals," Saparov said .

According to him, the Government of Kazakhstan is making significant efforts to develop the information and communication technologies sector. In particular, the state program "Digital Kazakhstan" focuses on building a digital state, digitizing industries, developing human capital and creating an innovative ecosystem.

"At the state level, state services are automated, elements of precision agriculture are being intensively introduced: electronic field maps, accurate weather data, sensors and sensors, space monitoring and other solutions. Thus, the use of innovations in food systems will help solve problems that have been a burden for too long," the Acting Minister said, adding that Kazakhstan supports the idea of holding a Summit on Food Systems and is ready to help bridge the digital divide and achieve the most important aspects of sustainable development.

The online meeting of the heads of the Ministry of Agriculture wa.organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, Water Resources and Regional Development of Kyrgyz Republic.

In turn, the UN Summit on Food Systems was initiated by the Secretary-General of th.organization, Antonio Guterres, in connection with the need to quickly solve the systemic problems in the production and processing of world food.