SUSTAINABLE LAND MANAGEMENT IN CORN FARMLAND, SOUTHEAST KAZAKHSTAN: REPORT FROM KAZAKHSTAN AND CHINA BORDER

Abstract

The agriculture in semi-arid lands of Kazakhstan on the example of the Kazakh-Chinese border has been transforming since the 2010s. This study examines corn farming practices and related state policies in Kazakhstan and makes policy recommendations for future sustainable land management (SLM) implementation. Through interviews with key informants and a review of policy documents, this paper identifies the following: 1) the study site has three farming issues depending on the geography; 2) farmers have positive agricultural practices for SLM adoption, such as crop rotation and manure usage; and 3) the agricultural enterprises established by the Agricultural Investment Policy have influenced the expansion of corn cultivation since the 2010s. These findings suggest it is possible to sustainably improve agricultural production in the study area, which is affected by infrastructure development between China and Kazakhstan, through the introduction of appropriate technology for each elevation and the development of sustainable agricultural land through cooperation with local companies.