The Food Corporation has entered into long-term forward contracts with five agricultural producers for the cultivation and purchase of lentils. The total supply volume at the pilot stage will amount to approximately 2.5 thousand tons. This was announced on the sidelines of the Regional Environmental Summit RES-2026 in Astana. The project is being implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture of Kazakhstan, with support from the Global Environment Facility and the UNDP.
In 2026, the selection of agricultural producers began for participation in a program to promote a sustainable agricultural production system and preserve ecosystems in Northern Kazakhstan. As reported by Yerzhan Khamitov, Director of the Department for Sustainable Agricultural Production and Trade of NC Food Corporation JSC, the forward mechanism allows providing farmers with funds and encourages environmentally friendly farming. At the first stage, the program covers the North Kazakhstan and Akmola regions. Participating farms receive scientific and advisory support on agricultural technologies and environmental risk assessment.
The Food Corporation is also working on the application of commodity lending and tripartite forward purchases of perennial grasses, including alfalfa, to strengthen the feed base and diversify crop areas.