FOOD SECURITY IN KAZAKHSTAN: ANALYSIS OF THE CURRENT STATE AND STRATEGIES FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

This article assesses the present condition of Kazakhstan's agricultural sector, focusing on the production volumes of cereals, meat, and milk and the import volumes of crop and livestock products. The authors highlight the challenges arising from technological and economic issues and dependence on weather conditions. The purpose of the article is to analyze the state of food security in Kazakhstan, identify problems hindering development and suggest the need for strategic planning. These considerations help to understand the current barriers to improving food security and suggest ways to overcome them. The article provides a detailed analysis of the dynamics of gross agricultural output from 2017 to 2023, noting steady growth in crop production, livestock production, and farming services. Significant increases in the production of cereals, meat, milk, and other products indicate the expansion and intensification of agricultural activities, likely due to the introduction of new technologies and improved processing methods. The paper identifies strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to the country's food security through SWOT analysis. Among the strengths, agro-climatic diversity and increased production capacity are highlighted, while the main weaknesses are high import dependence and insufficient technological development. The analysis emphasises opportunities for increased exports and investment in agro-technology and points to threats related to climate change and economic instability. The article concludes that strategic planning and innovations in agricultural policy are necessary to ensure the sustainable development of the farming sector and strengthen food security in Kazakhstan. This approach will reduce dependence on imports, enhance resilience to external shocks, and contribute to the long-term development of the national economy.