Grain Farming Center named after A.I. Barayev in the epicenter of events

The role and place of the Grain Farming Center named after A.I. Barayev in Kazakhstani agrarian science has a special significance. The scientists of the Center are doing a lot of work to multiply the scientific research that the scientific center is famous for.

Bilgibai Kamalovich, you have worked for more than 2.5 months in our Center and you can already sum up the results of the outgoing year with good reason, tell about the achievements of your colleagues and plans for the upcoming 2023, since you have not lost touch with the institute where your scientific career took place.

In the conditions of agricultural production diversification and the introduction of innovative technologies, the role of agrarian science is significantly increasing, the future of which belongs to a new generation of scientists.

Today, the Center, being the leading scientific organization for precision and organic farming systems and crop breeding in the country, is making every effort to further improve and develop it.

The Center of Grain Farming always closely cooperates with agribusiness, as evidenced by the ongoing events. Tell us, what specific work has been done in this direction this year?

The Center is in close cooperation with agribusiness, as evidenced by the ongoing events. In the Shortandy Knowledge Dissemination Center, our scientists conduct training events for managers and specialists of agricultural entities in order to inform agribusiness about the achievements of agricultural science and innovations in the field of agriculture and breeding. Last year, 5 training programs were developed in the field of crop production, 7 seminars and testing courses were held, the total number of participants was more than 350 specialists in the agricultural sector. 16 online seminars (webinars) were organized for 332 participants – representatives of agribusiness. 2 Days of the field were held on the basis of our Center and “Zaporozhye-Agro” LLP. Also, our breeders actively participated in the organization of demonstration crops and the holding of the Kazakhstan Field Day “Jaña Dala/Green Day 2022” in Akmola and Kostanay regions.

What are the opportunities for the Center’s employees to engage in research activities?

The scientific staff of the Center have ample opportunities to engage in research activities, especially young scientists: this is participation in the PTF and grant financing of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan, grant financing of research works of young scientists of the “KATU named after S. Seifullin” NJSC. This year, 8 applications were submitted by the GF of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan and 7 applications of the GF of KATU.

At present, scientists of the SPC GF named after A.I. Barayev are implementing seven scientific and technical projects on crop breeding and agriculture.

Our Center is one of the leading scientific organizations conducting research in the field of agricultural science, namely: full-scale breeding work is carried out on the main types of crops: grain, grain-fodder, leguminous, cereals, oilseeds and fodder. The center is engaged in the development of agricultural technologies, methods of tillage, the study of the influence of biotic and abiotic factors on the fertility of the soil cover. On the basis of long-term research in almost every scientific laboratory of the Center in the areas of breeding, agriculture, plant protection, graduate works of undergraduates are being prepared. Also, 3 PhD-doctoral dissertations are being prepared for defense, 5 employees are studying at the postgraduate school of the Russian Federation, 3 researchers have entered the master’s program of Russia and Kazakhstan. On December 20, 2022, Dolinny Yu.Yu. successfully defended his dissertation for the degree of Candidate of Agricultural Sciences. Three young researchers have joined the ranks of masters, having completed a full course of study in the specialty “Agronomy” at Omsk State University named after P.A. Stolypin.

In recent years, our employees have had the opportunity to travel abroad on business trips, how effectively does this affect the level of research and development and what are the possibilities in this regard?

SPC GF named after A.I. Barayev implements seven scientific and technical projects on crop breeding and agriculture. Within the framework of scientific projects, as well as at the expense of the Center, 11 scientists of the Center have completed scientific internships in leading research organizations of Kazakhstan (KazNIIZiKR and KazNIIPa), Russia (Moscow Agricultural Academy named after K.A. Timiryazev), Belarus (Belarusian State University) and Germany (Hanover Soil Institute). Each internship is aimed at improving the professional level and acquaintance with advanced modern techniques and technologies that will be used during research in our Center.

In the SPC, the social component has always been at a high level. How are things with this at the moment?

The social support of people on whose shoulders the entire scientific and production activity of the Center rests and its present and future depend - in this we see our main mission. And every year we will pay more and more attention to this essential issue. This outgoing year, according to the rating, 30 of our employees had the opportunity to relax at their choice in the best sanatorium-resort hospitals of the republic with free two-way travel to the place of rest, then in the coming year 40 members of the trade union will have the opportunity to improve their health.

The Center pays special attention to the continuity of generations, since the academic spirit and scientific ethics that have always reigned at the Institute are still preserved. Attention to veterans of science and production is manifested in everything and needy members of the workforce in various life situations are given priority. Every year, the Center participates in events held for Nauryz, People’s Unity Day, Victory Day, Children’s Day, Day of Veneration of the Elderly and Disabled, the “Road to School” campaign. Also, along with the children of employees, we invite children from low-income families of the Damsinsky rural district to children's matinees with the presentation of New Year’s gifts and prizes within the framework of the memorandum on social responsibility. During the year, social food fairs are traditionally held for employees of the Center at discounted prices. Every Friday, the Center sells butter, cheeses of different varieties, sour cream and fish by agreement with local entrepreneurs. Thanks to the support of the Local Trade Union of KATU named after S.Seifullin, fairs are held in the summer and autumn for the sale of products at a price below the market of fruits, honey and vegetables, as well as onions and potatoes. All activities are approved by the team.

In the future, we have outlined a number of social projects to expand the range of products at food fairs for employees.

During the spring and autumn field work and haymaking, preferential meals are provided for production workers in the amount of 25%, laboratory employees -50% of the total cost of lunch and dinner. Significant discounts on the purchase of hay, straw and waste by their employees. This was especially noticeable when the prices of hay, straw and waste have risen significantly in recent years. For the second year, free transportation of workers living in the Damsinsky rural district and the Shortandy settlement has been organized in the morning, lunch and evening, motor transport is provided to workers for personal economic needs at discounted prices. Free provision of special food, overalls and safety shoes and provision of medical examination of employees.

All these positions are spelled out in the collective agreement concluded between the employer represented by the Center and the primary trade union organization, as well as the entire list of the social package provided. Every year, the Agreement corrects all points in the direction of improving the social package of employees.As they say: “With care for everyone, with interest in everyone!” and this work will find its continuation.

What would you wish your colleagues and partners in the New Year?