The main crop grown in northern Kazakhstan

Agriculture in Kazakhstan is one of the most developed sectors of the state economy. In each of the individual regions, conditions are favorable for the cultivation of certain crops. Particular attention is paid to animal husbandry.

Geography and climate

The territory of Kazakhstan is located simultaneously in Central Asia and in Eastern Europe, washed by the Caspian and Aral seas. The continental climate conditions cold winters with little snow and hot dry summers.

About half of the country's territory is deserts and semi-deserts. The western part has mountain ranges. As for water resources, there is a shortage of them due to geographical location. Seven large river arteries and 13 large reservoirs serve as sources of life-giving moisture. Speaking of vegetation, it should be noted that steppe plants such as feather grass, wormwood and drought-resistant shrubs predominate. Green alpine meadows are found in the highlands. As for forests, they occupy 5.4% of the territory and are concentrated mainly in the north and south of the country.

Soils are perhaps the most important for agriculture. A significant share falls precisely on chernozems, chestnut and brown soils. There are also gray soils and brown soils.

How the industry developed

It is advisable to consider the development of agriculture in Kazakhstan since the 50s. In view of the economic crisis, the Soviet authorities decided to expand the cultivated areas. Then, virgin lands were actively developed in Kazakhstan and a number of other republics. It is worth noting that it was necessary to develop those areas that were characterized by low moisture content and a tendency to erosion.

It should be noted that the development of virgin lands led to a record grain harvest. At the same time, a sharp decrease in pasture areas was a negative consequence. To prevent a crisis in animal husbandry, specialized collective farms were obliged to increase the number of livestock. The Soviet period in the development of agriculture was also marked by the reform of machine and tractor stations.

In the 60-80s, the most intensive development of agriculture was observed. Cooperative ownership was completely transformed into state ownership, which made it possible to strengthen control over the movement of funds. This led to the fact that many farmers chose to leave the village. The government made a decision to attract specialists from other republics, as well as to use urgent servicemen.

At the moment, almost all agricultural land is in private hands. And, as in the late 70s, the problem of providing the population with meat and dairy products is quite acute, which indicates the need for reforms.

Industry characteristics

Agriculture in Kazakhstan is characterized by the following distinctive features:

• there is a pronounced zoning (horizontal and vertical) of soil covers;
• more than half of all land suitable for cultivation is in the desert and semi-desert zones;
• 85% of agricultural land is allocated for pastures (this is about 189 million hectares);
• Kazakhstan is one of the ten largest exporters of wheat and flour;
• the largest share of cultivated crops falls on cereals, fruits and berries, oilseeds, as well as cotton;
• in Kazakhstan, the livestock industry is traditionally developed, as well as the production of leather and wool.

The place of agriculture in the economy of Kazakhstan

Agriculture in Kazakhstan is one of the fundamental sectors of the state economy. It is worth noting that it brings 38% of the total national income annually. At the same time, this area employs about 16% of the state's workforce. This is due to the high level of mechanization and automation. It should be noted that there are more than 31,000 agricultural enterprises operating in the country, as well as about 32,000 peasant farms.

It should be noted that the agriculture of Kazakhstan ranks second in the world in the production of grain crops with an indicator of 967 kilograms per capita (leading positions belong to Canada, where this figure is 1,168 kg). At the same time, it is the only post-Soviet republic that is engaged in the export of bread. Nevertheless, the yield and productivity of such an industry as animal husbandry in Kazakhstan is quite low (paradoxically). According to this indicator, the state occupies 142 place in the world.

Sectors of agriculture in Kazakhstan

The agricultural sector is the strongest mechanism that provides not only the internal resources of the state, but also its position in the external market. Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan is traditionally represented by two main sectors:

• Livestock - is developing in such areas as the breeding of cattle (meat and dairy production), sheep, horses, camels, pigs and goats. Poultry farms account for a significant share. A separate, albeit insignificant, niche is the cultivation and commercial fishing of fish.
• Crop production is the backbone of Kazakhstan's agriculture. The largest share is occupied by spring wheat, which is sold not only in the domestic but also in the foreign market. It is also worth noting the prevalence of crops such as rice, buckwheat, barley, oats, millet and corn. Considerable sown areas are allocated for sugar beets and oilseeds (sunflower, rapeseed). Cotton and flax are grown for the textile industry. Crops such as potatoes, apples, melons and grapes are also worth noting.

Agriculture of South Kazakhstan

It is worth noting the diversity of natural and climatic conditions in the republic. Thus, the agriculture of South Kazakhstan operates in conditions of high air temperature in the foothill zone. With a good organization of artificial irrigation, it is possible to achieve high rates of harvesting of cotton, rice, sugar beet and tobacco. It is also worth noting that this is the most favorable place for the development of horticulture and viticulture.

Features of agriculture in the western part of Kazakhstan

Agriculture of Western Kazakhstan is represented mainly by animal husbandry, which is due to large areas of pastures and meadows. The largest share falls on the breeding of sheep, horses and camels. If we talk about crops, then more than 70% of arable land is allocated for wheat. The rest of the area is occupied by barley, millet and rye.

Agriculture in the northern part of Kazakhstan

The agriculture of Northern Kazakhstan is developing rapidly under the influence of favorable climatic conditions. Here, meat and dairy cattle breeding, as well as bird breeding, are most developed. The main industry is sheep breeding. Agricultural fields are occupied by cotton and grain crops. Also, there are very favorable conditions for growing vegetables, fruits and melons.

Features of agriculture in East Kazakhstan

Agriculture of East Kazakhstan is represented mainly by non-irrigated agriculture. The largest land areas are occupied by sunflower crops.In the river valleys, there are significant fields of wheat, oats, peas, and vegetable crops. It is also worth noting the rapid development of meat and dairy farming. In some areas, irrigated viticulture is developed. Also, a lot of attention is paid to the breeding of pigs and horses. The West of Kazakhstan is characterized by developed beekeeping, fur trade and beekeeping.

State policy in the field of agriculture

The development of agriculture in Kazakhstan is carried out with the support of the authorities. State regulation and reform is aimed at implementing the following main ideas:

• increasing entrepreneurial activity of the population in rural areas, as well as increasing their level of well-being;
• providing residents of agricultural regions with electricity, gas, drinking water and other vital resources;
• construction and overhaul of roads in rural areas;
• modernization of telecommunication systems;
• strengthening health care measures in rural areas (construction or overhaul of hospitals, attracting appropriate specialists);
• reforming education in schools and other educational institutions;
• providing villagers with access to cultural and sports programs;
• improving the level of security in villages by increasing the number of police stations, as well as units of the Ministry of Emergency Situations;
• ensuring environmental safety in rural areas;
• development of policy mechanisms in the field of internal migration in order to reduce the outflow of the population from agrarian regions.

Industry development problems

The following main problems of agriculture in Kazakhstan can be distinguished:

• insufficient receipt of tax payments to the budget, which is associated with the difficulties of transition from the old state farm form to the modern farm form;
• insufficient amount of financial injections into the industry;
• the deplorable state of the dairy industry (the most vivid illustration of the problem is the forced purchase of products in neighboring Kyrgyzstan);
• the need to increase the livestock population to increase the export of meat products to neighboring countries;
• lack of storage space for crops (the area of ​​elevators should be expanded at least twice to ensure the safety of the crop);
• migration of the population to cities due to the underdevelopment of villages and villages (the population who works in the agricultural sector, basically, does not have the appropriate education and qualifications);
• growth in imports of agricultural products;
• outdated material and technical base;
• insufficient level of development of local science in the field of agriculture.

conclusions

Based on the foregoing, it can be concluded that there is some stagnation in such an industry as agriculture in Kazakhstan. Briefly, the situation can be described as irrational and incomplete use of natural and human resources, as well as insufficient financing of the agricultural sector. The climate and natural resources of Kazakhstan contribute to the development of animal husbandry, as well as the cultivation of grain crops. Thanks to the policy of virgin lands development, which was carried out during the Soviet period, there is a significant area of ​​arable land, which provides Kazakhstan with a leading position in the world grain market.

It is worth noting the exceptional importance of agriculture for the economy of Kazakhstan. This industry accounts for almost 40% of the national income of the state. Considering that less than 20% of the economically active population is employed in this sector, we can talk about a high level of production automation. Despite the existing problems with the yield indicator, the country managed to become the second largest grain exporter in the world. It is the only republic in the post-Soviet space that has the ability to sell grain abroad.

Despite the fact that agriculture is assigned a fundamental role in the economy of Kazakhstan, it has some inherent problems.One of the main difficulties is the incomplete transition to the modern farming form, which makes it difficult to control the payment of taxes. It is also worth noting the lack of investment in the industry. The greatest stagnation is observed in the meat and dairy industry, which leads to the forced import of these products to meet consumer demand. Another key problem that requires an immediate solution is the lack of storage space for the harvested crop.

UDC 635.65 (574)

PERSPECTIVITY OF CULTIVATION OF GRAIN LEGUMES IN THE CONDITIONS OF NORTHERN KAZAKHSTAN

Shorabaev E.Zh.

Branch of ecological biotechnology RSE "Center for Biological Research" KN MES RK, Atyrau

Summary

This review considers the problem of soil degradation in the northern regions of Kazakhstan. The prospects of growing leguminous crops in the system of soil conservation agriculture as crop rotation crops have been assessed.

The technological backwardness of industry and agriculture, the extensive use of natural resources have led to significant degradation of soils in Kazakhstan. During the period of long-term plowing of virgin lands, the humus content decreased by 5-20% or more. In the grain regions of the north of the republic, 17.8 million hectares are potentially subject to deflation and 2.6 million hectares suffer from severe wind erosion. According to the latest inventory of irrigated lands, half of them need reclamation improvement or restoration of fertility.

Therefore, now there is an urgent need for the development and implementation of promising agricultural technologies with the reasonable use of the necessary doses of mineral fertilizers and pesticides, and, where possible, the replacement of their use by the introduction of organic, bioorganic and microbial fertilizers, as well as the use of biopesticides.

In the steppes of Northern Kazakhstan and Western Siberia, pure fallow is considered the basis of soil conservation farming systems, while in Canada, fallowing accounts for about 19% of arable land, and in the west of the United States, 8% of the total total arable land.

The advantage of vapors is more stable production; high soil moisture, hence the yield; greater availability of soil nitrogen; reduction of weeds, harmful insects, plant disease problems; and a more evenly distributed workload.

At present, there are different opinions about the moisture-accumulating and trash-cleaning role of clean fumes, but there is no disagreement that fallowing is the main cause of intensive soil degradation, moreover, fallowing leads to a decrease in the area of ​​plant production; reduction of organic matter in the soil and its fertility.

As you know, to destroy weeds in pairs, flat cutters iron the soil four to five times a summer, leaving the soil open, that is, ready for wind erosion in the event of strong winds and for water erosion in the case of spring melt water runoff. If the soil is cultivated no more than three times, then, as often happens, the field is overgrown with weeds.

Plus, most of the benefits of steaming are no longer relevant. For example, in North America, fallow fell by almost 50% from 1960 to 1997. This is due to improved crop varieties, improved machinery that can withstand workloads, effective herbicide disease control, and improved other agricultural practices. Of course, the factor of stability of yields during steam cultivation of land leads to its constant use by many peasant farms.

However, in Kazakhstan, there is a gradual reorientation of agriculture to zero tillage, which includes crop rotations.

When using minimum and no till tillage, it is important to include

in crop rotation crops that increase soil fertility.The use of leguminous crops in crop rotation will save a significant amount of nitrogen fertilizers, and crops with deeply penetrating roots into the ground - along with saving nitrogen, eliminate the problem of plow soles, improve the structure of the soil without mechanical treatments. Crop rotation in the system of conservation agriculture is of particular importance, since many problems: weediness, the spread of pests and diseases, can be solved by alternating crops.

In this regard, the mobilization of biological factors is becoming increasingly important and, being one of the main links in the greening of agricultural production, it allows you to get high yields, while ensuring the reproduction of soil fertility.

One of the recognized methods for improving the condition of soils is the use of legumes in crop rotations.

It is known that they have a complex of positive effects on the soil:

• fix the nitrogen in the air, enriching the soil with it and improving the nitrogen nutrition of plants;

• deep soil layers are loosened with a powerful root system;

• enrich the soil with organic residues, improve its structure;

• cleans arable land of weeds, suppresses the development of pathogenic microorganisms and reduces the incidence of diseases.

Unfortunately, until now, the role of biological nitrogen as a factor in increasing soil fertility, productivity and efficiency of crops, as well as protecting the biosphere is underestimated. Its role is not limited only to saving nitrogen fertilizers and obtaining cheap and complete proteins. Legumes are of great importance in enriching the soil with organic matter and nitrogen.

Legumes are very important from both an ecological and agricultural point of view, as they are responsible for a significant portion of the global flux of nitrogen from the atmosphere to a fixed form (ammonia, nitrate, and organic nitrogen). Atmospheric nitrogen, fixed by various associations of the legume-rhizobial complex, is a renewable source of nitrogen for agriculture. The values ​​given for various crops and pasture legumes are quite impressive and range from 200-300 kg nitrogen / ha per year. An increase in cereal yields after a legume harvest is often equivalent to the expected increase in yield from applying 30-80 kg of nitrogen fertilizer per hectare. Fixed nitrogen replenishment after alfalfa, red clover, pea, soybean, cowpea and vetch is estimated at approximately 65-335 kg / ha year.

In addition to nitrogen, leguminous plants are able to absorb phosphorus from poorly soluble compounds, while cereal crops - only from readily soluble compounds. The high nitrogen content in perennial legumes and legumes contributes to their rapid mineralization. Perennial grasses lead to the maximum intake of post-harvest residues of the root mass into the soil and create a positive humus balance in the soil.

The ability of leguminous plants to accumulate nitrogen in the soil is due to the presence of nodule bacteria in the rhizosphere of plants, which have the unique property of fixing gaseous atmospheric nitrogen, the reserves of which are unlimited: in the air, as is known, 2/3 of gaseous nitrogen. Therefore, to enhance the nitrogen-fixing ability of legumes, inoculants based on active strains of nodule bacteria are widely used.

The interaction of plants with symbiotic and beneficial rhizosphere microorganisms plays an important role in the development of plants, providing them with appropriate

nutrition and growth regulators, protecting against pathogenic microorganisms, adapting to stress. This interaction can reduce the amount of nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizers and pesticides for optimal plant development and at the same time increase the yield and product quality, as well as the fertility and microbiological activity of soils.It's no secret that the activity of the soil microflora largely determines the qualitative characteristics of the arable horizon.

Another advantage of legumes is their nutritional value. In terms of protein content, legumes are close to meat. Moreover, the protein of peas, soybeans or beans is absorbed by the human body much easier than meat. Also in legumes there are many organic acids, fats, vitamins and mineral salts necessary for the human body.

All legumes are successfully used in medical practice. Green peas, for example, contain active anti-sclerotic substances. They protect the body from infections and purify the blood. Beans contain a large amount of B vitamins, which reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases, has a beneficial effect on digestion, since they contain a lot of fiber and dietary fiber.

Legumes can be safely viewed as therapeutic foods. The effectiveness of their use has been proven as a prophylaxis for diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, cardiovascular system, kidneys and liver. Ideally, legumes should make up at least 8-10% of our diet.

For Kazakhstani farmers, the production of legumes is not entirely new. Before the general commercialization of agriculture, about 400 thousand hectares of leguminous plants (soybeans, peas, chickpeas, horse beans, beans, lentils) were grown in the republic.

The most common pulses grown in

Kazakhstan are soybeans, peas, chickpeas.

However, the cultivation of soybeans in the north of the country is limited by the climatic conditions of the region. The climate of the region is sharply continental and arid. Winters are cold and long with frequent winds and blizzards, causing the transport of snow and soil particles (wind erosion). The spring is short with a rapid spasmodic rise in air temperature and strong winds. Frosts stop in the second half of May, but can be observed in the first and even second decades of June. The evaporation of moisture from the soil in spring is usually 2 times the amount of spring precipitation. Summers are dry and hot, in rare years it is damp and cool. The post-harvest period is short - 30-45 days.

In the conditions of Northern Kazakhstan, peas can become a reliable substitute for steam; chickpeas and lentils have good performance. That is, the diversification of agriculture can be successfully carried out at the expense of an empty steaming field. For example, in the arid Canadian steppe on chernozems and dark chestnut soils, pairs have replaced canola, peas, lentils, mustard and other crops (2 million hectares - oilseeds, 600 thousand hectares - legumes).

Saskatchewan is a region of Canada that is most similar in soil and climatic conditions to Northern Kazakhstan. It produces 79 percent of lentils, 69 percent of peas and 37 percent of canola of Canada's total production. This shows that legumes are the most resistant in dry conditions.

Peas, chickpeas and lentils can also be grown in similar natural and climatic conditions in Northern Kazakhstan.

Sowing peas (Pisium sativum) are the most important and most widespread grain legumes. It is of food, fodder and agricultural importance. Pea grain contains up to 30% protein, vitamins A, B, B2 and C and basic amino acids. Per 1 feed unit, peas contain more than 150 g of digestible protein, while corn, barley, oats - only 59.7 - 83 g.

Pea grain is well boiled and easily absorbed by the human body. Pea hay contains up to 13%, and straw and chaff up to 8% protein. Green peas are also rich in protein and silage well. With a high level of agricultural technology, peas give large and stable yields of grain and green mass. Among cereals, legumes are one of the most productive and economically profitable crops.

Peas are undemanding to heat. Seeds can germinate at temperatures of 1-2 ° C.The plant is resistant to frost down to -8 ° C. This property is very valuable in case of unpredictable temperature fluctuations in the conditions of Northern Kazakhstan.

In addition, peas are a valuable precursor, since nodules of nitrogen-fixing bacteria develop on its roots, and the crop residues contain up to 50 kg / ha of nitrogen. High temperatures during the flowering period - grain filling and dry winds negatively affect the yield.

The culture is relatively hygrophilous. A significant amount of moisture is consumed by peas during the growing season. Peas tolerate deep seeding well. This feature is taken into account in arid regions, where in the spring the upper

the soil layer dries quickly. The sowing depth reaches 10 cm, in the zone of sufficient moisture 6-8 cm.

But today it is possible to rely on the same peas or lentils only if there is a processing cannery or creamery nearby.

However, peas can be sold to India, Spain, Cuba, China, and lentils are sold well in Algeria, Colombia, Mexico, Italy, Egypt and many other countries of the world. Average prices in recent years are much higher than for wheat. Lentils are the most expensive, at least $ 450 per ton, and peas are about $ 250 per ton. Peas in Canada give yields slightly lower than wheat, and lentils a little more than half of the wheat crop, which is also quite achievable in our conditions. And all these crops are more profitable than wheat, therefore it is necessary to increase the area of ​​their cultivation on the territory of the republic.

According to the Agency on Statistics of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the country, the total area under crops of such leguminous crops as peas, chickpeas and lentils is 42.8 thousand hectares (Table 1).

Table 1 - Areas of crops of leguminous crops in the Republic of Kazakhstan, thousand hectares

Year Sowing area of ​​leguminous crops, thousand hectares

Peas Chickpeas

2006 24,5 —

2007 31,6 —

2008 32,6 10,2

"-" - no data

So, if in 2006 the acreage of sowing peas was 26.5 thousand hectares, then by 2008 its crops amounted to 32.6 thousand hectares.

It should be noted that basically all farms cultivate peas, and over the past 3 years there has been a tendency to increase the area under peas. Chickpeas and lentils are not very popular. Lentil crops are very insignificant, therefore, its areas are not taken into account. However, these crops are a source of valuable protein, and, due to

the fact that at present the emphasis is being placed on the development of the livestock sector, their cultivation, for use in the future as feed, will become very relevant in the near future.

Thus, the use of leguminous plants as crop rotation crops is the most promising solution to the problem of soil degradation and replenishment of the nitrogen fund of soils. In Kazakhstan, in the conditions of the northern region, as a crop rotation crop, it can be most successfully used

peas, since it is a crop more adapted to these climatic conditions, moreover, it is more widespread and

most in demand compared to lentils and chickpeas.

List of used literature

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3. Suleimenov M. Sow - you must not pair. Ukrushka Zernova Asoschashcha // Look at the Presi. issue number 14 - 04, 2006

4. Smith E. G., Heigh L., Klein K. K., Moyer J. R., Blackshaw R. E. 2001. Economic analysis of cover crops in summer fallow-crop systems. J. Soil Water Conserv. Ankeny, Canada 56/4: 315-321.

5. Smith, E.G. and D.L. Young. The economic and environmental revolution in semiarid cropping in North America. Annals of Arid Zone 39: 347-2000.-361.

6. Sadanov AK The role of microorganisms in increasing the yield of legumes and improving the quality of feed. - Almaty: Fbrnbrn, 2006 .-- 220 p.

7. Parinkina O.M., Klyueva N.V., Petrova L.G. Biological activity and effective soil fertility // Poch-vovedenie. 1993, no. Pp. 76-81

8. Schott P.R. Possibilities and prospects of energy and resource conservation in the optimization of nitrogen nutrition of field crops // Materials of the international practical conference "Energy and resource conservation in agriculture in arid territories", July 17-19, Barnaul, 2000. - Barnaul, 2000. - P. 55- 57.

9. Aksenova LB Influence of nitrogen fixation on its general balance in the main soils of Kazakhstan // Author. dis. For a job.scientific degree of Cand. s.-kh. sciences. - Alma-Ata, 1980 - 26 p.

10. Orlov V.P. Legumes and problems of biological nitrogen in agriculture. Mineral and biological nitrogen in agriculture in the USSR.

- M .: Nauka, 1985 .-- 115 p.

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12. Mohammed A.M. Bacterization of seeds of the plant mass of sweet clover // Author's abstract. Cand. diss. Almaty., 1997.S. 7-12

13. Serikpaev N.A. Features of the formation of the yield of leguminous crops depending on the accumulation of biological nitrogen during inoculation of seeds against the background of mineral fertilizers with natural moisture and watering, and the aftereffect on the yield and quality of spring wheat grain in the dry steppe zone of Northern Kazakhstan // Abstract of the thesis. dis. for a job. scientific degree of Cand. s.-kh. Sciences - Astana, 1998 - 41 p.

14. Kurishbaev A.K. Organic matter of arable soils in Kazakhstan. - Almaty. - KazNIIZ.

- 1996 .-- 195 p.

15. The biological value of individual products "Vegetarianism", Moscow, "Economics" 1982

16. Tretyakov N.N. Physiology and biochemistry of agricultural plants. - M .: Kolos, 2005.

- 320 p.

17 Benz V.A. Peas. - Almaty: Kainar, 1976.-345s.

18 Volovchenko I.P. Peas. - M .: Nauka, 1962.221 p.

I decided to share an article from the conference: Second Central Asian Conference on Grain Crops, June 13-16, 2006, Issyk-Kul, Kyrgyzstan.

Further, there will be an English version.

ECONOMIC POTENTIAL OF CROP DIVERSIFICATION

IN CENTRAL ASIA: THE EXAMPLE OF NORTHERN KAZAKHSTAN

Shortan S. Sh., M.Sc., Scientific and Production Center of Grain Economy named after A. I. Baraeva, Shortandy-1, Kazakhstan.

Suleimenov M.K., Doctor of Agricultural Sciences, Academician, ICARDA, Tashkent, Uzbekistan.

Av-Hassan A., PhD, ICARDA, Aleppo, Syria.

Kaskarbayev Zh. A., Candidate of Agricultural Sciences, Scientific and Production Center of Grain Economy named after A. I. Baraeva, Shortandy-1, Kazakhstan.

Introduction

The theory of comparative advantage states that if each country specializes in the products and services in which it has a comparative advantage, then the total output and economic welfare in the country will increase and this will lead to more efficient use of resources. Business practice today shows that countries need to specialize in those types of products for which there is a demand, and the production of which would effectively use the resources available in the country.

For plant growing in Northern Kazakhstan, this issue is one of the most urgent. Currently, the region produces grain (mainly wheat), covering domestic needs and selling it to other countries. However, under these conditions, it is possible to produce other types of crop products that are in demand in other countries, and which would no less efficiently use the available conditions and resources: soil, moisture, production and trade infrastructure, personnel, capital, and others. This is confirmed by the results of research and the experience of other countries with similar natural and climatic conditions.

Here are the main reasons why cultural diversification is important:

- Positive effect on agricultural sustainability. According to agronomic studies, long-term cultivation of grain crops (mainly wheat), alternating with fallow, negatively affects soil fertility, which weakens the sustainability of agriculture. Diversification of crop production through the cultivation of alternative crops could contribute to solving this problem. These crops could also replace part of the steam, due to which wind and water erosion increases (Vorobiev, 1977; Reports of the laboratory of agricultural technology of field crops, 2002-2005).

- Higher resource efficiency. Alternative crops can potentially be more profitable (profitable) compared to soft wheat. This means that their production will increase the return on the use of available resources.Pulses have relatively lower yields, but their prices are higher than wheat. Additionally, with these crops, you can partially or completely save on fertilizers.

- Reducing risk in agribusiness. As you know, in crop production there are two main types of risk that affect the final income: (1) production risk, and (2) market risk. The production risk is expressed mainly in the change (deterioration) of weather conditions. Market risk is expressed in changes in the prices of inputs (growth) and crops (declines) (Zentner et al, 2002). At the moment, in the region, crop producers bear a considerable risk, or the likelihood of a decrease (or loss) in their income, because they depend mainly on one crop - wheat. In recent years, the average wheat yield has varied from 8.8 to 11.7 c / ha (Agency of the Republic of Kazakhstan on Statistics, 2004), and prices for it have varied from 50 to 150 dollars per ton (AgroInform, 2003-2006). Diversifying, or growing other crops in parallel, can have a positive effect on risk reduction in a business because the final income of the producer will depend not only on wheat, but also on other crops.

- Improving the supply of forage. At the moment, throughout the republic and in the region, there is a lack of inexpensive compound feed for livestock and poultry farming. Inadequate and unbalanced feeding is one of the main reasons for low profitability in animal husbandry (GAP, 2002). This problem can be solved by increasing the production and supply of feed in the region, where an increase in the production of legumes and oilseeds would provide a raw material base for the feed industry.

- Improving food security. Wheat production covers the domestic needs of the country with surplus. However, there is a deficit in the provision of legumes and oilseeds (GAP, 2002). An increase in the production of these crops and their processing could cover it.

- Improving rural well-being. The well-being of the population in the countryside largely depends on the well-being of farms (especially large ones) that are engaged in agriculture. Therefore, the diversification of agriculture can have a positive effect on the social welfare of the village.

In order to create conditions for the diversification of crop production, scientists from Kazakhstan and ICARDA, within the framework of a project funded by the Asian Development Bank, conducted studies to identify potential alternative crops for the southern black soil zone of Northern Kazakhstan, and developed their agricultural technology. Also, various crop rotations containing these crops have been proposed in order to reduce the area under wheat and fallow. At the moment, the results of these studies are available for implementation in the farms of the region.

Despite the positive aspects of alternative crops, the areas under them in the region are small. One of the reasons for this is insufficient knowledge of the socio-economic aspects of this issue. This is the attitude of producers to these crops, the economics of production, the possibility of trading in new products and the state of state policy in this area. To explore these issues, the research was expanded last year with a personal scholarship to them. V. Talvitsa International Foundation, including socio-economic aspects. This material presents the results of this work.

Source material and method

The material contains the results:

- Economic assessment of the production of alternative crops;

- Analysis of the socio-economic aspects of the introduction of crop diversification in the region;

- Analysis of state policy in the field of crop production diversification.

Economic evaluation of production.The main purpose of this part of the work was to identify and compare the profitability of various crops identified as alternatives to wheat in Northern Kazakhstan. Crops were compared individually and in rotation. The data were obtained from the 5-year experience of the laboratory of agricultural technology of field crops of the N.N. AI Baraeva, within the framework of the ICARDA project on soil fertility and water resources management (Kaskarbayev, Suleimenov, project reports).

In the calculations, four-field crop rotations were used, with a conditional area of ​​1,000 hectares / field: fallow - crop - wheat - wheat. The following cultures were compared with each other:

- Soft wheat;

- Durum wheat;

- Peas;

- Chickpeas;

- Lentils;

- Sunflower;

- Rapeseed;

- Mustard.

The first crop rotation with soft wheat, which is traditional for the region, was used as a control option. The calculations were made using the technological map. To simplify and speed up this work, an electronic version of it in MS Excel was built by "linking" sheets to each other using formulas. Prices were taken from trips around the region. For those crops that are not traded in the region, prices are conditional, calculated using data from foreign exchanges and in the province of Saskatchewan. Seeds were priced 30% more expensive than commercial grain, oilseeds. Diesel fuel was estimated at 58 tg / l, lubricants - 68 tg / l on average. The prices for elevator services are average for the region and were used in the calculations of all types of products. All prices were average, no subsidies. Wages, fuel consumption, depreciation and taxes are taken from the normative data in the SPCZH. It should be noted that in these calculations the residual value of agricultural machinery is low, and such costs as depreciation, repairs,% and taxes make up a small share in the cost of production. In other farms, the situation may be different, therefore, an individual approach to each situation is required, especially since the production of these crops may require the acquisition of additional agricultural products. technology, maybe even new. Also, only direct costs were taken into account in the calculations.

Analysis of socio-economic aspects in the region. To study these aspects in the region, the second stage of work was the conduct of a socio-economic study, which consisted of meetings with people who have or who may be related to the diversification of crop production (AR) in the region. These are government agencies, agricultural producers, processors, traders, consumers and scientific institutions.

From government bodies, meetings were held with representatives of regional and district departments / departments of agriculture and territorial offices of the Ministry of Agriculture. For the study, it was important to find out their opinion about DR, the reality and practice of DR in their area / district, measures taken and necessary (missing) to promote DR, as well as obtain statistical information.

From agricultural producers, farms with AK and without them were interesting. The first group of farms was interesting because they are already growing these crops. Therefore, it was interesting to find out why they do it, what they do with the products, where they sell them, what are the problems in production and sale, and what should be done to increase the attractiveness of these crops in the region. The second group of farms was interested to know why they do not grow AK.

Some of the potential buyers of AK from farms are processors: producers of cereals, vegetable oil, rye flour and animal feed. The demand of these enterprises could become part of the driving force that would "pull" the expansion of the area under the AK. Groats enterprises could affect the acreage of peas, chickpeas, lentils, buckwheat and millet; creameries - sunflower, rapeseed, mustard, flax; mills - rye; feed mills - peas, chickpeas, sunflowers, rapeseed and mustard.Like producers, converters also have 2 groups - those who process and do not process AK. From the first it was important to learn what they produce from AK, where and how they sell, how they are loaded, where they buy raw materials from, at what prices they buy and sell, what problems and difficulties with processing and sale. The second group was interested to find out why they do not recycle AK, they would like to do it, and what they need to do to start recycling AK. Also, it was important to get the opinion of both groups about DR in the region, and to find out if they can accept the increasing volumes that may result from the measures being taken.

Other potential buyers are livestock and poultry farms that may need compound feed. They can work with both agricultural producers and feed mills, purchasing raw materials or ready-made feed from them. Their constant demand for AK could be an incentive for expanding the area under these crops. For the study, it was important to find out whether they have a need for these crops, whether they use them, if not, they would be interested in their use in feeding animals and birds.

Scientific organizations were interesting in that they can get information about the agrotechnology of AK in different soil and climatic conditions, about the technology of processing of AK, the effect of the inclusion of products from AK in the diet of animals and birds, about the potential economic effect and measures to introduce DR. in the region. Some of these tasks lie with this study.

In this part of the work on studying the possibilities of diversifying agriculture in the region of northern Kazakhstan, the results are mainly of practical work. This is the largest section in terms of time, resources and effort. However, this is the most practical section that explores the reality of agriculture in this region: issues of production, processing, trade and local government. The work consisted of trips of the Talvits Foundation scholar to four regions (Pavlodar, Akmola, North Kazakhstan and Kostanay). This material contains results for only two regions (Pavlodar and Akmola).

Analysis of public policy. This part of the work consisted of an analysis of existing state programs in the field of agriculture and meetings with representatives of the ministry, regional and district departments / departments of agriculture.

The study partially explored the issues of trade / marketing of alternative products and a more in-depth study of this issue is planned after documenting the work done.

Results and its discussion

The main calculation results are presented in Table 1. Profitability was chosen as the main indicator when comparing crops and crop rotations. It is the ratio of net income to total costs multiplied by 100%.

Table 1. Main indicators for calculating the profitability of crops, tg / t,%

Index	Soft wheat	Durum wheat	Peas	Chickpea	Lentils	Sunflower	Rape	Mustard
Costs, tg / t	6 769	7 325	10 609	15 287	13 767	15 442	20 391	13 361
Price, tg / t	11 300	13 000	18 000	25 000	30 000	30 000	24 000	24 000
Profit, tg / t	4 531	5 675	7 391	9 713	16 233	15 558	3 609	10 639
Profitability, %

Such crops as lentils (118%), sunflower (94%), mustard (80%), durum wheat (77%) and peas (70%) are identified as more profitable compared to wheat (67%). The following crops are less profitable: chickpeas (64%) and rapeseed (18%). The results are shown graphically in Figure 1.

Figure 1. Profitability of crops, in%

Lentils are the most profitable due to the high price (30,000 tenge / t): 2.7 times higher than wheat, while the cost is only 2 times higher. The higher cost of lentils is mainly due to lower yields, and higher costs for seeds and pesticides. Of course, the price for lentils is taken conditional, since it is not on the domestic market, but it shows the huge potential of this culture.

The success of the high profitability of sunflower is also due to its high price.The cultivation of sunflower required fewer operations (8) than for wheat (9), which led to relatively low labor and fuel costs. Seed costs are also lower for sunflower due to the low seeding rate (20 kg / ha) compared to wheat (120 kg / ha). In production conditions, sunflower is also effective even with a different yield.

The price of mustard is also higher than that of wheat (24,000 tenge / t). Mustard seed costs are lower due to the lower seeding rate (9 kg / ha). However, the cost of pesticides is higher due to the double treatment with the Karate herbicide. Few people sow mustard either, although potentially it also has rights to significant areas, since the product is in constant demand.

Durum wheat is more profitable due to the higher price, despite the relatively low yield. The gain from the higher price was greater than the loss from the negative yield difference.

Peas also have a higher price, but also a higher cost price. The costs per hectare for seeds and herbicides are higher for peas than for wheat, due to a higher seeding rate and high costs for spraying with the Pivot herbicide. Despite this, the relatively good yield and price have made this crop more profitable.

Chickpeas and rapeseed were found to be less profitable. If the difference in profitability between wheat and chickpea is small, then the difference with rapeseed is significant. Chickpeas are less profitable mainly due to the high costs of seeds and herbicides. For seeds - a higher seeding rate (315 kg / ha) with a higher price; for herbicides - high costs for the application of "Pivot". Potentially, the yield of chickpea can be increased by introducing varieties resistant to ascochitosis, which are available in the ICARDA collections.

Rape gave way to wheat mainly due to low yield (7.5 kg / ha). This crop needs moisture and is not drought tolerant. Also, it is less familiar to growers and the technique they use was designed for wheat. The northern part of the region on ordinary chernozems is more suitable for this crop due to its higher yield. Rapeseed has about the same costs per 1 ha as mustard: rapeseed - 15,293 tenge / ha, mustard - 15,766 tenge / ha, and the same price - 24,000 tenge / t. However, the difference in yields led to a strong difference in the cost of oilseeds: rapeseed - 20 391 tenge / ton, mustard - 13 361 tenge / ton. A yield of 11 kg / ha could make this crop more profitable than wheat.

Figure 2 shows a comparison of crops for such an indicator as net income per hectare. This comparison looks slightly different from the comparison of profitability. However, it still shows that most alternative crops can be more beneficial than soft wheat.

Figure 2. Comparison of crops by net income per hectare

The above analysis is based on individual cultures. However, their effect on subsequent crops may lead to different results when compared. The calculation results for crop rotations are presented in Table 2 and Figures 3 and 4. Indicators per hectare take into account the total area of ​​the crop rotation (including fallow).

Comparison of rotations allows you to compare crops in the system, considering their effect on the following crops. Separately, a crop can be highly profitable, but this profitability can be "due" to the following crops, for example, one crop consumes more moisture or the field after it remains heavily weed. Conversely, the crop may not be very profitable, but it has a positive effect on the profitability of the next crop (s), for example, by accumulating nitrogen or suppressing weeds.

Table 2. Main indicators for calculating the profitability of crop rotations, tg / ha,%

Index	The first crop rotation
	Soft wheat	Durum wheat	Peas	Chickpea	Lentils	Sunflower	Rape	Mustard
Cost per hectare	12 423	12 490	13 940	15 240	13 299	11 837	12 160	13 200
Income per hectare	15 425	16 398	18 982	20 793	19 925	15 488	13 568	16 120
Net income per hectare	3 001	3 908	5 042	5 552	6 626	3 651	1 408	2 920
Profitability, %

Lentils retained the leading position in the crop rotation (Fig. 3). It is based on both its own high profitability and its positive impact on the next crop. For example, the profitability of wheat after lentils was 64%, and in the control - 46%. The main reason is the high yield (18.9 versus 16.5 c / ha). Chickpeas, when comparing crop rotations, became the second most profitable crop. The reason, as with lentils, is the high profitability of wheat after chickpea (75%), caused by the increased yield of wheat after it (20.6 c / ha). With peas, the same effect and reasons: 20.5 c / ha and 75% profitability level of wheat after peas.

Figure 3. Comparison of the profitability of crop rotations, in%

Durum wheat has a better next crop effect on soft wheat than soft wheat itself. As a result, this led to a yield of 18.3 c / ha and a profitability of 59% for the next crop.

Sunflower is considered a bad precursor for soft wheat. The profitability of the latter after sunflower was 4%, which is caused by a relatively low yield (15 kg / ha) and a large number of operations. The high profitability of the sunflower itself has led to a high profitability of the crop rotation in general. However, this crop rotation requires a more detailed study, because in the agricultural literature it is not recommended to return with sunflower to the same field for 8 years.

Mustard and rapeseed, as predecessors, are better than wheat and sunflower, which resulted in higher yields. However, more operations in wheat after mustard made the rotation with this crop less profitable compared to the control option. Wheat after rapeseed has a much higher profitability due to good yields and fewer operations. However, this circumstance did not greatly affect the overall profitability of the crop rotation, because rapeseed itself has a low profitability.

Figure 4 shows a comparison of crop rotations for such an indicator as net income per hectare. In general, it does not differ from comparison in terms of profitability.

Finally, it should be noted that the above results assume sales of products at specific prices and that there are no sales problems. However, some of the crops are hardly traded in the region at all, and there is little chance of selling at these prices. In order to have the distribution of these crops in the region, it is important that there is a sufficient level of prices and demand for them (where and to whom to sell).

Figure 4. Comparison of crop rotations in terms of net income per hectare, tg.

Trips to two regions, Pavlodar and Akmola, led to the following results:

- Pavlodar region has the most diversified crop production in the region of Northern Kazakhstan. This is due to soil and climatic conditions, namely, low soil fertility and dry climate. For this reason, the area did not play an important role in grain production, and its producers had the right to choose what to grow. The most common alternative crops are sunflower and buckwheat. The expansion of the areas under them was caused by the high demand from the processors (oil and groats factories). The latter was caused by the high demand of the population for sunflower oil and buckwheat groats. Another culture, millet, was the most popular among alternative crops in the recent past. However, today this culture is less popular due to low demand.

- Crop production of Akmola region is less diverse in comparison with Pavlodar region. The main crop is soft wheat. The reason for the popularity of this culture is the presence of demand from processing and exporting enterprises (including the state). Additionally, the infrastructure for the production and trade of wheat is well developed.Cereals are in demand among the population, but there is no operating cereal plant in the region. Sunflower has good sales potential. The production of rapeseed has just begun, we still need to work out sales issues.

- The main factor in the expansion of a particular culture is the availability of demand with a good price.

- Other important limiting factors in expanding the area under alternative crops: lack of seeds; outdated varieties; ignorance of the peculiarities of agricultural technology of alternative crops; limited access to information and advice on production technology; lack of stability and consistency in work, as well as a low level of professionalism and competence of some local government bodies.

- Regional departments of agriculture in three regions of the region (except Pavlodar) are very interested in diversification of crop production, but their opportunities are limited. There are issues that they cannot fulfill, for example, selection, testing and regionalization of crops, and the study of markets. This requires closer work with research organizations and sufficient funding.

- Most agricultural producers support DR, even very much. Reasons: reduced risks, increased income. The main criterion for choosing crops is profitability and its likelihood (or risk). The main factors are prices, the amount of demand and their stability.

- Producers are interested in support from the state, if the latter really wants DR. Possible ways of cooperation between the state and business were named: subsidies for seeds of alternative crops; regulation of prices and volumes in the market; provision of consulting services; sales / marketing support and development.

- There is a social / psychological factor influencing the choice of alternative cultures. This is the relationship between the desire to grow new crops and the age of farm managers. In general, young leaders are more interested in DR than older ones.

- Processing companies are also interested in DR, because they need raw materials. From the government, they would like government planning, fair and transparent tenders from large government agencies (eg Ministry of Defense) and support in securing funds for equipment and running costs.

At the state level, there are two main documents that reflect the state policy in the field of crop production diversification in Northern Kazakhstan. These are the Concept of sustainable development of the agro-industrial complex of the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2006-2010 and the Program of Priority Measures for 2006-2008 to implement this concept. These documents show that there is an understanding of what is needed for DR in the region. However, the understanding of the DR reflected in the above documents has, in our opinion, several important drawbacks:

- All cultures are "thrown into one heap" and mixed with each other. This does not provide a clear picture of the activities for each alternative culture.

- The documents indicate that DR is necessary, but in reality, there are specific plans and support measures only for the expansion of rapeseed (centralized supply of hybrids and the construction of an oil extraction plant). However, the opinions of many experts show that this culture is overrated in the program. This is a rather risky crop for large-scale implementation, and its development should be limited to the zone of ordinary chernozems for the time being.

- Legumes, the most favorable from both an agronomic and economic point of view, are clearly underestimated. The program does not plan to increase them, which certainly weakens the program.

Conclusions and recommendations

conclusions

- Spring soft wheat is almost the only crop in the agriculture of Northern Kazakhstan.

- There are many alternative crops that could potentially replace part of the wheat area.Not many producers complained about the low productivity of crops, even with a fairly low level of agriculture.

- Pulses for food purposes have the highest chances for a place in crop rotations, because they are potentially more cost-effective and have the most positive impact on agricultural sustainability.

- It is strange that producers complained about the lack of demand for millet, which was a traditional product among the Kazakh population. Moreover, cereals and legumes are recognized as the healthiest foods in the world. These are strong arguments for thinking about changing the food culture.

- Products of legumes, cereals (except wheat) and cereals can be sold to other countries for much higher prices than domestically, because the demand for them is constantly increasing.

- Oilseeds (sunflower, rapeseed, mustard) are also good for increasing profitability.

- Producers are interested in DR. However, they are mainly limited by the lack of a market for alternative crops.

- Processors and traders are also interested in DR, because it's profitable.

Recommendations for improving agricultural policy

- There is great potential for DR in the North Kazakhstan region. Government policy should promote DR to improve agricultural welfare, sustainability and profitability.

- It is necessary that the promotion of DR in the region is systematic in order for the measures taken to be effective and sustainable. Developing programs and / or projects across cultures and areas could be a good tool. These programs should be interdisciplinary (agronomy, animal husbandry, food technology, economics, etc.), and representatives of various fields should be involved in them (government agencies at different levels, regional and local research institutes, producers, processors, traders, etc.).

- Training in the technology of production of alternative crops is very necessary. Suffice it to say that sunflower is considered profitable even with a yield of 4 c / ha, while a level of 10 c / ha is easy to obtain.

- Sales / marketing should be the starting point for promoting DR in the region. This question was named by most of the respondents as the most important reason for not growing alternative crops. A lot of efforts need to be made in the development of domestic and foreign markets. This problem is a legacy of the Soviet period, when sales problems did not exist at all.

- In the event that cost-effective products are identified that are in demand, manufacturers may need to:

• Seeds of good varieties;
• Information and advice on production technology;
• Additional machinery and equipment;
• Additional working capital (for seeds, pesticides, etc.);
• Production and sales insurance.

These issues are partially reflected in the state policy: support for breeding, subsidizing leasing, futures contracts with the Food Contract Corporation. However, there are some complications such as lack of good varieties, lack of consulting services, and risk insurance needs some improvement.

- In the event that profitable products that are in demand are identified, processors may need to:

• Equipment for processing new crops;
• Funds for current expenses;
• Information and advice on processing technology;
• Insurance of risks in production and sales.

These issues are also reflected in the state policy: subsidizing leasing and cheap loans to replenish working capital.

- In the event that profitable products are identified that are in demand, traders ("traders", exporters) may need to:

• Reliable and up-to-date information on demand and prices;
• Trade risk insurance;
• Funds for operating expenses (for example, for purchasing, and setting up sales.)

Much success in promoting the diversification of crop production will depend on how fair, efficient and stable government bodies at the local and national levels, responsible for the implementation of planned and financially secured measures, work. Unfortunately, there are many shortcomings in their work. Also, unfortunately, there are conflicting opinions among officials at the state level regarding the diversification of crop production. Some of them want to see Kazakhstan as only the largest exporter of wheat grain. Therefore, they need to be convinced that DR is also one of the ways to improve rural well-being and strengthen agricultural sustainability, which will be consistent with strategic approaches to develop agricultural success.

Summary

The material provides information on the importance of diversification of crop production in the region of Northern Kazakhstan, the results of an economic assessment of alternative crops, the results of a survey of producers, processors, intermediaries and administration in Pavlodar and Akmola regions, the results of an analysis of state policy in the field of diversification of crop production in the mentioned region, as well as conclusions and recommendations for further steps to promote it.

Lentils in Northern Kazakhstan

The Agrarian Sector magazine continues to publish materials on agricultural technology of leguminous crops. Recall that in the previous issues, the biology and agricultural technology of growing chickpea was considered. In this issue of the magazine, we present to the attention of our readers agricultural crops, the demand for which on the market has grown significantly in recent years. It's about lentils. The price for it is three to four times higher than the price for wheat (this year, one ton of lentils, depending on the type, was purchased on the domestic market in the range from 500 to 800 US dollars). All this spurs farmers to expand crops for this crop. Our regular author, Ph.D. D., Deputy General Director of LLP "PTK" Sodruzhestvo "Alexander Grinets, prepared an article in which he considered the biology of lentils and the peculiarities of its agricultural technology in the conditions of Northern Kazakhstan.

Small digression

I remember that about twenty years ago, Academician Mekhlis Suleimenov, speaking at one of the agrarian forums, said that it is high time to start working on lentils in Kazakhstan. A promising culture. Canada, which has many similar agro-climatic conditions with us, exports it all over the world, and our peasants continue to deal exclusively with wheat, the price of which in some years falls to a critically low level. Production workers then perceived these words not as a call to action, but more as a good wish of the academician. And only a few began to study lentils and try to sow it, gaining the first experience and stuffing agrotechnical cones.

Years have passed. And a lot has changed. Today, those farmers who decided to start growing lentils are not worried about whether to sow or not sow, they are worried about where to get seeds, often even at any price. And farmers who have been growing lentils for more than ten years today have worked well in agricultural technology, and they understand what is needed and - especially - what not to do when growing it. At the same time, specialists who have studied the peculiarities of growing this crop on the basis of production experience are sure that a desire to deal with it is not enough. Knowledge is needed. Excitement expectations from the next miracle culture, the cultivation technology of which has not been worked out to the smallest detail, tend to fail miserably. This was the case about five years ago during the oilseed boom, when farmers began sowing sunflowers, rapeseed and flax on a massive scale in anticipation of large profits. Someone got it, and someone was at a loss, even at rather attractive prices for these crops. Therefore, many who have not been involved in lentils before may fall into the trap of their own ambitions and expectations.And therefore, in order not to break the wood, it is easier to use the experience of those who have been growing lentils in Kazakhstan for more than a dozen years. This is both more useful and, importantly, cheaper. Mistakes in growing any crop are costly.

One of the first in the cultivation of lentils in the North of Kazakhstan began to be engaged in the "PTC" Sodruzhestvo "LLP, where the author of the presented article, Alexander Grinets, works. We believe that the published material will be useful for readers.

Editor

Origin, distribution and use of lentils

VIEW. Common lentils, orLentils cultural (lat. Lens culinaris) ─ annual herb of the genus Lentil (Lens). Lentil subspecies are divided into varieties according to the color of the cotyledon and seeds, the pattern on the seeds, the color of the flowers, the length of the calyx teeth, the color of immature and mature beans, the color of the seed scar, the pubescence of the plants, the shape of the leaf and the color of the seedlings. A total of 59 varieties have been identified, of which 12 are large-seeded and 47 are small-seeded. The most important varieties of lentils differ in three main characteristics: the color of the cotyledons and seeds, and the pattern on the seeds.

There are two main subspecies of lentils: large-seeded (macro sperm) and small-seeded (micro sperm). Macroperm subspecies has large (5.0-8.0 mm), flat (disc-shaped) seeds of yellow, green or green-yellow color with pointed edges. The mass of 1000 seeds is 50-80 g. Because of the shape of the seed, large-seeded lentils are also called plate lentils. In Germany and Austria, there is a local name for this subspecies ─ "gellert-lentil", because of the similarity of lentil seeds to a small coin. Plate lentil varieties have a higher stem (40-70 cm).

This consumer group (which also takes into account the color of seeds and cotyledons) includes:

1.  Large-seeded green lentils. The seeds are green or yellow-green in color, the cotyledons are yellow, the seed diameter is 6-8 mm. The mass of 1000 seeds is 60-80 g. It is used for food purposes. Popular in Western European countries, North Africa, Central and South America. The price for it is the highest.

2.  Large-seeded red lentils. Weight of 1000 seeds - 55-60 g. Creamy seed coat, red cotyledons. It is of less importance and distribution, mainly grown and used in Canada and the United States.

3. Medium green lentils. Seeds are green or yellow-green in color, 5-6 mm in size. The mass of 1000 seeds is 50-55 g. It is in demand in the countries of North-Western Europe, the USA, Spain, and Africa.

Microperm has seeds of a smaller size (2.5-4.5 mm), convex shape. The mass of 1000 seeds is 28-45 g. It is more widespread in the countries of the East. This consumer group includes:

4. Small-seeded green lentils... Seeds of green or yellow-green color up to 5 mm in diameter. The mass of 1000 seeds is 26-40 g. It is consumed in Morocco, Greece, Italy, Egypt.

5.  Small red lentils... Its main characteristic is the red or orange coloration of the cotyledons and the creamy seed coat. Small seeds. The mass of 1000 seeds is 28-45 g. It is used for food in the countries of South Asia: India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Iran and others. In terms of production and consumption, it ranks first among all groups of lentils.

Among the small-seeded forms of lentils, the French green lentils, the seed coat of which is green in dark spots (green marbled). There is also a popular one in Spain brown lentils... Varieties are bred in Canada green lentils with green cotyledons, as well as black lentils, outwardly resembling granular sturgeon caviar.

Lentils are one of the oldest crops in the world of agriculture. Thus, it is known from biblical legends that the ancient Israelites widely used the valuable properties of this culture. In the parable of Isaac's sons - the twins Esau and Jacob - the first ceded his birthright to his brother for a stew of lentils, which he fed him.

It is known that lentils began to be grown much earlier than peas and beans.The main primary center of origin of cultivated lentils is located in the mountainous regions of Southwest Asia (the region between the Himalayas and the Hindu Kush), where the largest number of small-seeded lentils, diverse in morphological characteristics and biological properties, are concentrated. Another center is located in Abyssinia with the adjacent mountainous Eritrea and is characterized by endemic forms of small-seeded lentils.
The wild ancestor of the cultivated lentil has not been found. But on the rocks of the southern coast of Crimea, you can find a close species - wild lenticular lentils. In contrast to the cultivated, in the Crimean lentil, the leaf ends not with a tendril, but with a point and the flowers are blue-violet.

According to the complex of biological, morphological and economic characteristics, all forms and varieties of lentils are divided (according to E. Barulina) into six agroecological groups: European, Central Asian, Mediterranean, Arabian, Afghani and Indian. The most common local and selective varieties of lentils belong to the European and Central Asian ecological groups. Of the others, the Mediterranean group is of the greatest interest. The varieties and forms of this group have high commercial qualities.

For many Asian peoples, lentils are one of the most important sources of protein that can replace bread, cereals and even meat in terms of nutritional properties.

In terms of calorie content, varieties of lentil varieties are approximately equivalent, but at the same time, red lentils surpass green ones in calories, but green lentils contain more ash elements and vitamins.

The main producers of lentils are Canada (1.53 million hectares) and India (0.95 million hectares). Lentils are also grown by Turkey, Australia, USA, Nepal, PRC, Syria, Iran and Spain.

In recent years, the area under this crop in Kazakhstan has been intensively increasing.

Interestingly, if you decide to look at the statistics on the area of ​​lentils in Kazakhstan, then this attempt will not be crowned with success. Statistics provide information on the cultivated area of ​​peas, chickpeas, even on the area of ​​beans, which occupies a microscopic 200 hectares throughout the republic. But for some reason there is no information about the area under lentils, which this year, according to various estimates, may exceed 200 thousand hectares. Such are the statistical paradoxes.

 Biological features of lentils

Lentils are most productive when grown in moderately warm weather, an average air temperature of 15-18 ° C during the growing season and the amount of precipitation for the period from germination to economic ripeness 100-180 mm (average yield 1.6-2.0 t / ha ).

The economic ripeness of lentils occurs when the sum of temperatures accumulates 1400-1900 ° C (cold-resistant), and in dry years this amount is 100-150 ° C less than in wet years.

Small-seeded forms of lentils respond to a shorter day more strongly and, as a rule, more violently than large-seeded ones.

According to long-term observations, its seeds are able to germinate already at 3-4 ºС, but friendly shoots appear only when sown in a soil heated to 9-10 ºС at a depth of up to 10 cm. Lentils are able to withstand short-term frosts up to 8-10 ºС.

At the Petrovskaya selection and experimental station (the birthplace of the Vekhovskaya variety of lentils), for 75 years, there has never been a death of lentils from spring frosts, which in some years reached -10 ºС. Moreover, in some years, its early seedlings were under snow. Therefore, lentils belong to the group of early sowing plants. In terms of resistance to frost in different phases of development, it approaches the pea. At the same time, lentils should be sown early, not only because they do not require heat during seed germination, but also because during this period they need a large amount of moisture. In subsequent phases of development, the plant's requirements for moisture are reduced, and lentils tolerate a small lack of it in the soil much better than peas. In terms of drought resistance, it is second only to rank and chickpea.

The period before flowering is critical for lentils in terms of moisture.If before flowering there is enough moisture in the soil for normal growth and rooting of plants, then during flowering-ripening, lentils tolerate drought relatively easily and give a good yield of high-quality seeds. Large-seeded lentil varieties were found to be more susceptible to drought in the pre-flowering period than small-seeded varieties. Lentils tolerate soil drought during the flowering period more easily than atmospheric drought. Dry winds cause especially great harm at this time, under the influence of which the pedicels of plants quickly dry out and curl. This entails dropping of buds and flowers and, as a result, a decrease in yield. However, if precipitation falls after a drought, then secondary flowering and leveling the consequences of water shortage are possible, if there is a possibility of ripening to harvesting conditions. During the period of seed filling and ripening, excess moisture in the soil for lentils is unfavorable, since in this case its growing season is lengthened, it is severely affected by diseases (rust, ascochitosis, furaziosis and gray rot), develops a large vegetative mass, and, as a result, yield seeds and their quality are sharply reduced.

Academician D. Pryanishnikov defines the attitude of lentils to soil as follows: "For lentils, first of all, a soil that is free from weeds and loose, for example, sandy loam or loamy, but in any case not excessively fertile, is required."

“The best soil for lentils is average in fertility. Lentils grow well on soils of loose, light, sandy loam soils, loamy and sandy varieties of chernozems and chestnut soils ”(Italian encyclopedia, 1972).

At the same time, soils that are excessively rich in nitrogen are unsuitable for lentils, on which, when grown, it develops a powerful green mass (“fattens”) to the detriment of seed productivity. For the same reasons, lentils cannot tolerate fresh manure and high doses of nitrogen fertilizers. Lentil vegetation will also be delayed in fallow fields to the detriment of seed productivity.

Based on the foregoing, in Northern Kazakhstan, lentils can be cultivated in regions with an annual rainfall of 300 mm or more (in relation to the Kostanay region, these are I and II agroclimatic zones

 Lentil production in the world

Canada produces the lion's share of the world's lentils. In 2016-2017 more than 3 million 500 thousand tons were grown in this country. This is followed by India (851 thousand tons), the USA (450 thousand tons), Turkey (450 thousand tons), Australia (380 thousand tons).

In the countries of the former USSR, there is also an increase in the production of lentils. In Russia, it amounted to about 30 thousand tons in 2015. In 2016, 8 thousand hectares of lentils were sown in Ukraine. In 2017, it is planned to increase the area for this crop to 20 thousand hectares. In Kazakhstan, five years ago, lentils occupied very small areas, according to our magazine, no more than 6-7 thousand hectares. According to the forecasts of the Ministry of Agriculture, this year lentils in Kazakhstan may occupy an area of ​​200 thousand hectares, and some optimistic analysts give even more - up to 300 thousand hectares. But, as they say, autumn will show ...

(Read the full version of the article in No. 2 (32) of the Agrarian Sector magazine for June 2017)

Alexander Grinets

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Published: 22.10.2017 | 15:40

Tags: Northern Kazakhstan, agricultural technology of legumes, biology of lentils, species. features, technology, world production.

Categories Agricultural technologies