More than 5,000 hectares of agricultural land belonging to Arkalyk Agricultural Experimental Station LLP (AAES) are set to be confiscated in favour of the state by a ruling of the Kostanay Regional Court.
According to the news agency APK News, the Arkalyk AAES is a subsidiary of the National Agrarian Scientific and Educational Centre. Station employees assert that the land subject to seizure is under active cultivation and is critically needed for conducting agricultural research.
"Historically, experimental stations have played a key role in the development of domestic agriculture. These are not just production facilities; they are scientific platforms where resilient crop varieties are created, new agricultural technologies are tested, and breeding and seed production are carried out. Land for such institutions is the very foundation of all scientific activity," say AAES scientists.
The court concluded that during the period the case was under review, no scientific activity was carried out on the disputed plots. However, the AAES explained that this was a temporary consequence of financial difficulties, from which the enterprise began to recover this year.
"Sown areas have been increased, and work in the fields has been stepped up. Currently, all available land is being cultivated: ploughing is underway, some sowing has been done, and fallow land is being worked on in some areas. These are practical steps towards restoring both the production and scientific potential of the station," the statement reads.
Meanwhile, station employees claim that the seizure of the land will deal a blow not only to science but also to the life of the entire village.
"Thanks to the stabilisation of the financial situation, employees have started receiving their wages, and confidence in the future is growing. Many residents who previously left for work have returned to their native village, eager to work and live on their land," the scientists reported.
It is noted that special attention is now being paid to the renewal of the scientific direction — the launch of breeding seed production.
As scientists warn, the loss of over 5,000 hectares could deprive the AAES of the ability to carry out scientific tasks in breeding and seed production, which would lead to a decline in the quality of agricultural products and a weakening of adaptation strategies.
"Today, when the country faces the challenges of adapting agriculture to climate change and enhancing food security, agricultural science needs land more than ever. Without it, there will be no new varieties, no strong seed base, and no progress," they noted.