Driving Rural Development by Empowering Smallholders in Kazakhstan’s Agrifood Sector - GCP/KAZ/004/HUN

Abstract

Kazakhstan, with a rural population of approximately 8.3 million people (42 percent of the total population in 2023), relies heavily on agriculture for rural livelihoods. While the country’s agricultural sector is characterized by a dualistic structure, comprising large export-oriented farms and small household farms with an average landholding of 0.15 hectares, household farms play a vital role, producing over 50 percent of poultry and livestock and more than 70 percent of milk. Despite this, rural development in Kazakhstan has traditionally been narrowly focused on agricultural production, lacking a holistic approach to community development. Local communities have limited influence over their development objectives, with policy frameworks primarily driven by top-down approaches. The project was initially designed to support investment in smallholder inclusive value chains but had to be restructured in 2022 due to COVID 19 constraints. The revised focus shifted toward addressing the broader needs, challenges and constraints of rural households and promoting rural development as a comprehensive concept.