Ten growers in Kazakhstan's Burlin district have built greenhouses as part of the Batys AgroHub initiative, a program to support local agri-entrepreneurship. The project is funded by KPO B.V. shareholders Shell and Eni, implemented by the Eurasia Foundation of Central Asia (EFCA) and the Yenbekshikazakh Community Foundation, with support from the Burlin District Akimat.
The initiative focuses on practical support for greenhouse vegetable farming and aims to establish a local agri-business hub. Ten participants were selected through an open competition. They completed training in greenhouse construction, crop production, and business planning, and have now finished setting up their greenhouses. Agronomist Viktor Golikov provides continuous technical support, which will continue for three years.
In the first season, all participants began with cucumbers due to their short cycle and high market demand. Farmers also receive exposure to other production models and marketing skills.
Several growers are already expanding. Vitaliy Yun, with prior farming experience, operates two greenhouses and grows multiple crops using his irrigation optimization methods. Andrey Godlevsky, known locally for supplying microgreens to Aksai restaurants, plans to scale up. Marat Davletyarov has added custom irrigation and climate control tools, including greenhouse cameras.
While most growers focus on cucumbers, others, such as Lyubov Zeitz from Pugachevo, have planted tomatoes. Farmers expressed readiness to enter the local market and noted interest in long-term support for further agribusiness development.
Source: zhaikpress.kz