A New Generation Takes the Helm

Young farmer transforms 1,000 hectares into a thriving Kazakh grain hub

Young Farmers Reshape the Agricultural Sector

Across the grain-growing regions of the republic, the hum of tractors fills the air as farmers race to retain moisture in the soil. The importance of this pre-sowing agronomic operation cannot be overstated: if done properly and on time, the soil will preserve its precious water reserves, paving the way for a strong harvest. Fail, and the seeds will struggle to draw nourishment from the earth.

To witness this critical fieldwork firsthand, I visited Nomad-AgroA LLP, a farm based in the Tselinograd District of Akmola Region.

...Near the village of Zhalgyz Kudyk, I leave my car behind and climb into a waiting UAZ—affectionately known as the "loaf" for its boxy shape—alongside the farm's director, 33-year-old Alexander Areshkin. As we bump along the dirt roads skirting the still-bare fields, he shares the story of how Nomad-AgroA came to be.

Founded just four years ago, the farm is still in its infancy. So is its leader. And Areshkin's own journey reflects a quiet but tangible shift: more young Kazakhs are turning their ambitions toward agriculture, a sector long seen as the domain of older generations.

"My family had no ties to farming before me," Areshkin admits. "We're city folks—from Saran in the Karaganda Region. My father was a driver; my mother still works as a dispatcher for a transport company. Somehow, it fell to me to try my hand at something completely unfamiliar."

After high school, he studied law, graduating from Karaganda's law faculty. He then worked for private firms, traveling across nearly every region of the country. Life was stable, even comfortable—but the urge to build something of his own grew stronger. "I wanted to apply my skills to a real, tangible project," he says. The idea took shape with the help of a childhood friend and fellow Karaganda native, Maxim Kovalyov. Together, they entered a state program for aspiring farmers and secured their first 850 hectares in neighboring Akmola Region.

...We arrive at one of the farm's fields, where a tractor pulls a harrow across the soil.

"Our operation is still small—we manage as best we can," Areshkin explains. "The harrow creates a mulched layer on the surface, like a protective blanket that locks in moisture deep below, preventing evaporation."

What happens next, however, is unexpected. Following journalistic tradition, I ask to speak with the true hero of any harvest—the tractor operator. When the cabin door swings open, I find myself face-to-face with not just a driver, but also his four-legged co-pilot: a dog, riding shotgun.

Meet the Team: Alexander Kovalev—Father of the Farm's Co-Owner

Alexander Kovalev is the father of Maxim Kovalev, one of the co-owners of this farm. For most of his life, he worked in agriculture—even as a tabunshchik, a herdsman tending horses. But the time came to trade his living horse for an iron one to lend his son a hand.

"Even though I worked in livestock farming, I've always dealt with machinery," says the tractor operator. "So I handle moisture conservation just fine. I work from dawn till dusk. And Gera—my hunting dog—rides with me in the cab all day. She doesn't get in the way, and it's just more cheerful having her around."

Alexander Areshkin joins the conversation.

"When planting season comes, Uncle Sasha's spot will be taken by another mechanic—one with more experience in crop farming," he explains.

Our brief talk about farming, the challenges of the land, and the unusual path chosen by these young city men took place on a field swept by spring winds.

Alexander admits that the first of their three past seasons was a disappointment. The second, however, brought a strong harvest, allowing them to purchase two new Chinese YTO tractors and sprayers on lease. These joined their existing fleet—a Kirovets tractor and a combine harvester.

The third season fell in 2025, a record-breaking year for crop yields across the country. Yet for our farmers, it unfortunately turned out poorly.

"We haven't given up. We'll keep working hard for a bountiful harvest this year," says our interlocutor. "We're entering the field well-prepared—seeds, fuel, and spare parts are all set. This season, we'll plant 550 hectares of 'Ayna' wheat, 250 hectares of 'Karagandy-5' barley, and 150 hectares of 'Severny' flax. After moisture conservation, we'll treat the fields with glyphosate to fight weeds. Then we'll start planting."

…Bidding farewell to Uncle Sasha and his four-legged helper, we head back. The farmer confesses that the past three seasons have given him a firsthand taste of how grueling farm work can be—something he'd only heard about before. But far from discouraging him, the experience has only strengthened his resolve to keep working without pause.