Classes combine theory with practice at agricultural enterprises and research organizations, reports the Ministry of Agriculture of Kazakhstan.

The essence in brief

• The pilot is running in 3 regions as part of the Comprehensive Plan for Livestock Development for 2026-2030.
• In Akmola Region, 7 agro-classes operate in 3 schools; in Kostanay Region, agro-classes and agro-studios have been opened in 6 schools.
• In North Kazakhstan Region, the project is being implemented in 7 districts, with 120 schoolchildren studying crop production and livestock farming.
• Next, they plan to open agro-classes in agricultural mechanization.

How agro-classes are organized

The Ministry of Agriculture, together with agricultural enterprises and educational organizations, is developing a network of agro-classes. Training combines theoretical classes with practice at agricultural enterprises and research organizations. Schoolchildren get acquainted with agricultural machinery and equipment, study modern technologies and observe how enterprises operate. For enterprises, the project provides an opportunity to establish connections with future specialists; for the industry, it helps build a talent pool.

What is already working in the regions

In Akmola Region, 7 agro-classes operate on the basis of 3 schools. In Kostanay Region, agro-classes and agro-studios have been opened in six schools. In North Kazakhstan Region, the project is being implemented in seven districts: here 120 schoolchildren are studying crop production and livestock farming, and agricultural enterprises are being involved in the training.

Classes are also conducted by teachers from M. Kozybayev North Kazakhstan University. Excursions are organized for schoolchildren to the North Kazakhstan Research Institute of Agriculture, where they get acquainted with scientific developments and agricultural technologies.

Why the industry needs agro-classes

The Ministry of Agriculture announced the idea of agro-classes in January: Vice Minister Amangaliy Berdalin named the same three regions as pilot ones at a Mazhilis session. In the autumn, Minister of Agriculture Aidarbek Saparov stated at a government meeting that by 2035 the agro-industrial complex (AIC) will need about 73 thousand qualified workers, and agro-classes should build the chain "school - college or university - enterprise."

Author's conclusion

So far, the scale of the project is modest: in North Kazakhstan Region, 120 schoolchildren are studying in agro-classes, whereas about 4.8 thousand students enroll in the country's agricultural colleges annually. Therefore, the pilot's result can be assessed by another indicator: how many agro-class graduates will go on to agricultural colleges and universities and return to work at enterprises. This will determine whether agro-classes become part of the AIC's personnel policy or remain a career-guidance project.