9 July 2025 saw the release of the first episode in a new Kazakhstan series on the “Potato Enthusiast” video blog—a field report from LLP “Aktogay Agro” in Pavlodar Region. From this starting point, host Viktor Kovalev and his crew embark on a grand journey through the country’s potato-growing heartlands.
About the project and its host
“Potato Enthusiast” is the author’s vlog of Viktor Kovalev, editor of Potato System magazine. Its mission is to showcase the best global practices for cultivating the “second bread” and to connect professionals and curious viewers alike.
Why Aktogay Agro stood out
- 12 000 ha of arable land, more than 3 000 ha of which are irrigated
- 1 200 ha of potatoes (seed and table)
- A modern vegetable-and-grain storage complex holding 44 000 t, plus 5 000 t of cold storage
- Broad diversification: cereals, vegetables and a dairy herd of 1 000 Simmental cows
In the episode viewers meet General Director Aleksandr Terentyev, tour variety demo plots, inspect the machinery fleet and storage line—an exemplary case of a large farm building a fully integrated production cycle.
Kazakhstan on the world potato map
- The Ministry of Agriculture puts the 2024 harvest at roughly 2.6 million t, against a domestic need of 2 million t, enabling a fifteen-fold surge in exports to Russia by May 2025.
- Independent analysts estimate the crop closer to 2.9 million t, noting that statistical “padding” can cloud the real market picture.
Rising volumes and exports make Kazakhstan an increasingly important supplier for Russian processors and retailers—hence the logic of Kovalev’s itinerary. The republic has become one of the CIS’s most dynamic arenas for high-tech potato projects.
What’s next on the tour
A teaser promises upcoming visits to farms such as Bio Nord, Shuyskoye, Daneker and others. A feature-length film of the journey is slated for August 2025.
Fact sheet: LLP “Aktogay Agro”
| Indicator | Value |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2001 |
| Land bank | 12 000 ha |
| Potatoes | 1 200 ha (seed + table) |
| Vegetable storage | 44 000 t |
| Refrigerated storage | 5 000 t |
| Dairy herd | 1 000 Simmental cows |
| Revenue 2023 | 12.3 billion KZT |
How to watch the episode
The full video is available on the project’s official channels on both YouTube and VK Video.
Add it to your playlist, share your impressions, and stay tuned—the team promises a string of meetings with leading Kazakh farms and plenty of practical advice for potato production in the country’s demanding steppe conditions.
