Due to incessant rainfall, farmers in northern Kazakhstan are asking to declare a state of emergency, MIR 24 reports.
Farmers in Kostanay Region are seriously worried about the quality of the future harvest. More than 80% of the crops are ripe and ready for harvest, but farmers are unable to begin harvesting due to technical problems caused by thick mud in the fields. Incessant rains have been creating problems for the second week now: wheat starts sprouting on the ear and becomes unsuitable for food use. Farmers say nearly the entire harvest will have to be used as livestock feed.
While the rains are falling, farmers are doing their best to gather other crops. The Association of Agricultural Producers discussed the problem during an emergency meeting. They proposed declaring a state of emergency and, if necessary, suspending field works to ensure that elevators and dryers are operating normally to save the crops.
Minister of Agriculture of Kazakhstan Aidarbek Saparov reported on the establishment of a commission that had left for Kostanay Region to assess the situation. After inspecting the areas and holding the necessary meetings, a decision on further steps will be made.
