Food self-sufficiency of the Abai region of the Republic of Kazakhstan: problems, risks, and solutions

The goal is to analyze the current state of the agro-industrial complex of the Abai region and assess the level of food security in the region. Methods – analysis, synthesis, and statistical methods were used to systematize information on food self-sufficiency; inductive and deductive methods were applied to identify trends based on regional data and build hypotheses. Results – the dynamics of production of main types of agricultural products for 2022–2024 are presented, along with the structure of food consumption compared to scientifically grounded norms. Data on food imports and exports are provided, as well as the physical and economic accessibility of food. Problems and risks affecting food self-sufficiency indicators are identified, and proposals have been developed to improve the efficiency of the agrarian sector. Conclusions – the agro-industrial complex of the Abai region has significant potential in crop and livestock production; however, it is used inefficiently due to a persistent imbalance between production and meeting needs. Despite surpluses in certain categories (meat, eggs, grain), there is a shortage of dairy, fruit and vegetable, and fish products, which necessitates stimulation of these sectors. The structure of the diet does not meet recommended physiological standards, especially in terms of dairy products, vegetables, fruits, and eggs. Dependence on imports persists in key food categories, while food remains economically inaccessible to certain segments of the population. Effective foreign economic policy and a financially justified customs-tariff mechanism are required; measures for state regulation of prices; consideration of demand conditions; and widespread use of innovative technologies and technical means in crop and livestock production, as well as in the food and processing industries. Implementing these directions will help optimize nutrition quality, balance it in terms of nutrients and energy, and consequently improve quality of life.