The International Potato Tour and its General Partner “Avgust” continue their journey across Kazakhstan.
In the Karaganda region of Kazakhstan, the International Potato Tour (IPT) team visited one of the leading farms in the area — Baimurza Agro 2018 LLP. This enterprise has become a vivid example of how modern potato farming technologies can thrive even under harsh climatic conditions — through innovation, scientific thinking, and unwavering dedication.
Irrigation: The Foundation of Success
The farm operates in a region where growing potatoes without irrigation is impossible. As the farm’s head explained, every field is irrigated — otherwise, the crop simply wouldn’t survive.
“Without irrigation, there’s no point growing potatoes here. Apart from drought, we have another issue — stem nematode. With moisture deficiency, it can destroy an entire field.”
The main water source is the Shakai Reservoir, which holds about 5 million cubic meters and supplies enough water to irrigate 400 hectares of potatoes, along with rapeseed, wheat, and flax. All irrigation water is meltwater — essential in this semi-arid region.
Varieties and Seed Multiplication
The main variety grown at Baimurza Agro 2018 is Gala, followed by VR808, which is used as a seed crop for processing (chips production).
The farm cooperates closely with Eurasia CropCare, which supplies elite seed material for multiplication.
“We buy elite seeds, multiply them up to the first reproduction, and Eurasia CropCare markets them. At the same time, we keep part of the elite stock for our own production fields.”
All plantings undergo phytosanitary inspections, ensuring that even table potatoes meet high seed standards.
Innovation and Field Management
The farm applies both foreign and local technologies, including pivot irrigation systems, deep chiseling (over 50 cm), and video monitoring of irrigation stations.
Particular attention is paid to disease control, especially Rhizoctonia. Farmers use a unique mix of seed treatments originally designed for cereals (including fludioxonil and flutriafol) — a combination that has significantly reduced tuber infection rates.
Organic fertilization also plays a key role:
“After potatoes, we sow rapeseed. Organic poultry manure helps retain nitrogen in the soil, suppress nematodes, and reduce common scab.”
Climate Challenges and the Philosophy of Patience
Karaganda’s harsh continental climate poses serious challenges — spring and autumn frosts, poor water permeability, solonetzic soils, and heavy loams. Each field requires an individual approach.
“If you plant too early, you’ll catch spring frost; too late, and you’ll get autumn frost. Here, you must work when it’s time — not when the weather allows.”
Storage and Quality Management
The farm also focuses on the post-harvest stage:
“Once the temperature rises above six degrees, it’s very hard to stabilize. Vitamin C levels drop, respiration starts, and that affects quality.”
Careful control of temperature and humidity ensures long-term storage. Gentle unloading systems and modern potato harvesters help minimize mechanical damage to tubers.
Future Outlook
Although Baimurza Agro 2018 was founded only in 2019, it has already established a closed-loop production system — from irrigation and seed multiplication to organic fertilization and storage management.
Future plans include expanding irrigated areas, introducing new varieties adapted to local conditions, and scaling up seed production.
Conclusion
The visit to Baimurza Agro 2018 became a key part of the International Potato Tour’s Kazakhstan route. It showcased that even under the most challenging conditions, it is possible to build an efficient and sustainable potato enterprise based on knowledge, technology, and true passion for farming.
Location: Karaganda Region, Republic of Kazakhstan
Project: International Potato Tour / Международный Картофельный Тур
General Partner: Avgust Company
Filmed in: 2025
Source: Interview materials from the International Potato Tour’s visit to Baimurza Agro 2018 LLP (Kazakhstan)
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