Identifying the prospects for sustainable development of the dairy sector

The dairy sector represents a fundamental component of the agro-industrial complex, ensuring food security and contributing to the sustainable development of rural areas. The object of the study is the dairy industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan, while the core problem addressed is the need to enhance its resilience under conditions of limited investment attractiveness, weak infrastructure, and structural imbalance between production and processing capacities. The research results reveal a set of systemic problems: insufficient breeding practices, shortage of high-quality fodder, underdeveloped milk processing facilities, and low competitiveness of dairy products in international markets. Quantitative analysis has shown that the average milk yield per cow remains at 2,400–2,600 kg per year, which is 2.5–3 times lower than in leading dairy-producing countries. In addition, only 65–70% of raw milk is processed at industrial facilities, leaving a significant share in the informal sector. The interpretation of the findings demonstrates that the successful development of the dairy sector depends on a systemic approach to resource efficiency, technological modernization, and the establishment of a balanced agricultural policy. A distinctive feature of the study is the comprehensive assessment of institutional and technological factors, which allowed the identification of sustainable mechanisms for improving both milk production and processing efficiency. The practical significance of the results lies in their applicability for the development of state support strategies for the agro-industrial complex, the design of regional agricultural modernization programs, as well as the activities of dairy processing enterprises focused on export promotion and strengthening domestic competitiveness