A thematic event dedicated to World Soil Day was held in Astana, focusing on key issues related to sustainable land and soil management in Kazakhstan. The event was jointly organized by the Committee for Land Resource Management of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
Participants included representatives of FAO Kazakhstan, the State Institute for Land Survey and Assessment (GIPROZEM), S. Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical Research University, scientific institutions, and partner organizations. The discussions addressed the current condition of Kazakhstan’s soils, emerging challenges in land use, and practical solutions aimed at preserving soil fertility and improving land governance efficiency.
Murat Temirzhanov, Chairman of the Committee for Land Resource Management, emphasized the strategic importance of systematic soil assessment and the adoption of innovative approaches to sustainable land use. He noted that increasing anthropogenic pressure, urbanization, and climate change require closer cooperation among government institutions, the scientific community, and the private sector.
Gulzhakhan Bimendina, Director General of the State Institute for Land Survey and Assessment, congratulated participants on World Soil Day and highlighted that Kazakhstan possesses over 272 million hectares of land. She stressed that soil quality, fertility, and resilience to climate risks are critical factors directly affecting food security, agricultural sustainability, export potential, and ecosystem conservation.
According to her, GIPROZEM plays a key role in land monitoring and assessment, conducting comprehensive studies, developing digital land maps, and introducing digital solutions for land management. The institute is also actively advancing carbon farming technologies in cooperation with FAO, international organizations, and research centers.
FAO representative Aizhan Karabayeva underlined that healthy soils are the foundation of food security and sustainable development, including in urban areas. She explained that urban soils contribute to water filtration, temperature regulation, carbon sequestration, and air quality improvement, while rapid urbanization and extensive use of concrete and asphalt undermine these vital functions.
During the main session, participants were presented with expert reports on soil fertility assessment, outcomes of international soil conservation projects, the impact of modern agrotechnologies, land reclamation practices, and sustainable land use amid expanding urban infrastructure. Special attention was given to the need for an integrated and systemic approach to sustainable land management.
The event served as an important platform for knowledge exchange and partnership building among scientists, policymakers, businesses, and international organizations. Certificates of Honor were awarded to outstanding professionals who have made significant contributions to soil science and the improvement of land use practices in Kazakhstan.
📌 Source: Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan
