Journalists have noted that the Minister of Agriculture, Aidarbek Saparov, has several close relatives running businesses in the agricultural sector. Farms are registered in the names of his brothers, wife and son. In the related segment of agrochemicals, the minister's son-in-law also operates. All these areas are directly dependent on state subsidies and support measures funded from the budget.
According to Ulysmedia.kz, this has led journalists to question: does this interweaving of family ties and budget funding create a conflict of interest?
At the end of the year, the Ministry of Agriculture held a meeting with journalists, at which Aidarbek Saparov presented the sector's performance results. According to the ministry, grain and flour exports increased from 9.7 million to 15.3 million tonnes, and the geography of supplies expanded to 45 countries.
The minister explained that Kazakhstan produces 2–3 times more grain than is needed for domestic consumption. According to him, exports help avoid pressure on the domestic market, ensure an influx of foreign currency revenue, and provide farmers with resources for investment in farm development and rural areas.
An increase in yields for the main crops was also reported. The Ministry of Agriculture attributes this to changes in the lending mechanisms for spring field work. This year, 750 billion tenge was allocated for these purposes, allowing 8.5 million hectares to be cultivated.
Journalists specifically highlighted social tensions related to rising meat prices. Aidarbek Saparov explained the price increase as a result of high external demand and a complex domestic supply chain.
"However, this rise was preceded by a long period of stable prices, meaning there is also a cumulative effect. The wholesale purchase price of meat from farmers has increased, albeit significantly less than the retail price, but there has been some rise. This encourages farmers to increase production," he stated.
The minister also announced plans to expand concessional lending and support meat and hide processing projects.
At the same time, Saparov answered the question regarding a potential conflict of interest linked to the agribusinesses of his relatives. He stated that there is no conflict of interest, as he is not a founder of any of these enterprises, and the distribution of subsidies is carried out at the level of regional akimats, not the Ministry of Agriculture.
In turn, journalists noted that in 2023, Aidarbek Saparov held the position of akim of the North Kazakhstan region — the region where his relatives' business assets are concentrated. During that period, he stated that his brother, the owner of a large agricultural holding, had found work even more difficult due to additional social obligations.