Kazakhstan Farmer Defies Arid Climate by Growing Tropical Bananas in a Greenhouse

In Kazakhstan's Turkestan Region, a farmer has achieved something unusual. Shams Tursynbayev is now growing tropical fruits in a greenhouse near Saryagash. His success with 'Cavendish' bananas—a variety rarely seen in the area—has drawn attention from local officials.

Tursynbayev has worked in greenhouse farming since 1995. But in 2019, he decided to try something new. That year, he imported 'Cavendish' banana saplings from Turkey and planted them in a 1,000-square-meter greenhouse. Despite the region's arid climate, the plants thrived, producing tall stalks and broad leaves.

The greenhouse now grows more than just bananas. Papaya, lemon, orange, mandarin, coffee, and pitaya (dragon fruit) are also adapting to controlled conditions. The 'Cavendish' bananas, known globally as the most popular variety, have grown particularly well, with leaves reaching three meters and stalks up to ten meters tall.

Local authorities have taken notice. Arman Abdullayev, the akim (mayor) of Saryagash District, praised the project as an innovative step for the region. The Department of Entrepreneurship and Agriculture has since been tasked with promoting these tropical fruits in nearby markets.

Tursynbayev's greenhouse stands out in a region where farming usually focuses on cotton, wheat, and apricots. His tropical fruit harvests, particularly the 'Cavendish' bananas, mark a rare shift in local agriculture. Officials now aim to introduce these exotic crops to more consumers in Turkestan.