Kazakhstan redistributes 13.5 million ha of farmland, but three regions lag behind

The results were summed up at a meeting of the Republican Commission on Land Redistribution chaired by Deputy Prime Minister – Minister of National Economy Serik Zhumangarin. In 2026, development began on 792.5 thousand ha of agricultural land that had previously been unused. Another 1.3 million ha was returned to state ownership. In total, 15.4 million ha has been returned to the state since 2022.

Vice Minister of Agriculture Azat Sultanov reported that the target of redistributing 13.5 million ha has been met. Of this area, 5.5 million ha became public pastures. Another 8 million ha was allocated through tenders to citizens and other land users. Returned land is reaching end users most slowly in Atyrau Region (a lag of 32.4%), Mangystau Region (24.6%) and Ulytau Region (21.1%).

Three pilot districts with a total area of 33 thousand ha have been selected for the restoration of degraded pastures: Raiymbek District of Almaty Region (9.2 thousand ha), Khromtau District of Aktobe Region (17.4 thousand ha) and Tselinograd District of Akmola Region (6.6 thousand ha).

Zhumangarin believes that those who receive land with infrastructure at the state's expense must take on reciprocal obligations. In his words, "the land must work and deliver returns." Plots used inefficiently or not for their intended purpose should be returned by the state to agricultural use.