(25 February 2026 | Source: Telegram channel «Shishkin_like»)
The Minister of Agriculture Aidarbek Saparov did not directly answer a question about how much state subsidy his relatives have received in recent years. During a briefing, he was reminded of a previous promise not to help his agrarian relatives and of hundreds of millions of tenge in budget funds, but no specific figures were given in his response.
WHAT THE MINISTER WAS ASKED
Journalist Zhaniya Urankayeva cited data showing that in 2019–2020, the agricultural business of the minister's brother — Altynbek Saparov — received 713.5 million tenge from the budget. According to media reports, these funds were allocated in the form of various subsidies.
During that period, Aidarbek Saparov held the position of Vice-Minister of Agriculture. In 2023, having already become head of the ministry, he publicly promised not to provide support to his agrarian relatives.
At the briefing, journalists asked him to clarify whether the minister's relatives had received state support in the last three years and, if so, how much. No specific answer to this question was given.
HOW THE MINISTER REACTED
Aidarbek Saparov stated that he had already answered similar questions many times and suggested "looking on the internet, on YouTube".
He emphasised that he is not the founder of his relatives' farms and does not participate in their activities. According to him, subsidies are distributed at the level of regional akimats, not at the Ministry of Agriculture.
The Minister avoided directly clarifying the amounts of state support his relatives had received in recent years.
WHAT FUNDS THE BROTHER'S BUSINESS RECEIVED
According to the Telegram channel "Shishkin_like", the key family enterprise is LLP "Nogaibai", which lists Altynbek Saparov as its owner.
It is reported that in 2019 the company received 107 million tenge, and in 2020 — 350 million tenge in subsidies. In 2020, the enterprise also received 166 million tenge in state support for the construction of a dairy farm worth 1.8 billion tenge.
According to plem.kz, in 2021–2023, subsidies for livestock development ranged from 29.5 million to 125.7 million tenge annually. Additionally, in 2020, the social-entrepreneurial corporation (SEC) "Soltustik" provided the company with two loans of 425 million and 176 million tenge at 2% per annum.
Also, the farm "Nogaibai", registered in 2003, received over 67 million tenge in 2019 and 22.5 million tenge in subsidies in 2020.
THE QUESTION OF SUBSIDY DEBTS
Media representatives also reminded that the debt for subsidy payments to farmers for 2022–2023 amounted to 341 billion tenge. Previously, the Minister had stated that the debts would be paid off by March 2026.
At the briefing, Aidarbek Saparov confirmed that the debt for 2022–2023 in the amount of 341 billion tenge has been paid off. Now, according to him, work is underway to settle obligations incurred at the end of 2024 and during 2025.
The Minister clarified that the ministry expects to close around 180 billion tenge in the first half of the year.