Valley Irrigation and Kusto Group form joint venture to establish sustainable agriculture in Central Asia through agreement with government of Kazakhstan

Date:01-21-2021

Valley^® Irrigation, a Valmont^® (NYSE: VMI) company, is advancing its collaboration with the Republic of Kazakhstan and announcing its joint venture with private holding company Kusto Group^®. The strategic, multi-year project will improve sustainability and resource conservation, introduce advanced farm technology to local farmers in the region, and serve as the foundation for making the country an agricultural hub in Central Asia.

Josh Dixon, Vice President & General Manager, International Irrigation for Valley, says:

“Kazakhstan has tremendous potential to be an agricultural leader in Central Asia. The government of Kazakhstan is looking to Valley to support implementation of precision agriculture best practices and cutting-edge farming technologies that are sustainable and that produce better yields while using fewer resources.”

“In 2018, 67% of the nation’s total water consumption was for irrigation,” Dixon continues. “Center pivots from Valley are up to 60% more efficient than other irrigation methods predominantly used in the region. When center pivots are combined with precision irrigation technology, input costs are reduced and crop yields are increased.”

Poised to Increase Productivity with Efficient Irrigation Technology

Kazakhstan is the ninth-largest country in the world by land mass – the world’s largest landlocked country – with a population of 18 million. Kazakhstan possesses many natural resources and seeks to tap into its huge agricultural potential.

Agriculture is already an important economic sector in Kazakhstan, but there is room for further growth through improved efficiency. 81% of Kazakhstan is cultivated land, and 80% of Kazakhstan is predominantly arid steppe or desert. Those statistics, along with the country’s underutilized water channels and hydroelectric system, highlight the importance of precision irrigation in the region.

Kusto Group Chairman Yerkin Tatishev says:

“This partnership will enable Kazakhstan to unlock its enormous agricultural potential. Valley brings 75 years of experience that will help our growers create sustainable incomes, create new jobs, and fulfill the goal of helping Kazakhstan become a food provider to the world.”

The newly created JV, which is registered within the Astana International Financial Centre, signed firm contracts committing to the construction of a plant in Kazakhstan for the manufacture of Valley pivots and a volume guarantee from the government of 4,000 machines. The plant’s annual production capacity will be at least 1,000 pivot irrigation machines.

Transforming the Region through Sustainable Agriculture

The agreement will create a network of farms designed to demonstrate advanced irrigation technologies and train local farmers in responsible water management. Valley solutions manufactured in Kazakhstan will serve the domestic market and act as a hub for exports to the region.

“At Valmont, we are committed to conserving resources and improving life. It is our purpose as a company, and determines how we go about the business of feeding and clothing the world,” added Dixon. “This collaboration is an honor to participate in, as it is economically beneficial for all parties involved and will bring food security and economic diversification to Central Asia’s agricultural sector.”

Askar Mamin, Prime Minister of Kazakhstan, says:

“The US capital and technology are strongly represented in Kazakhstan, and today I am pleased to announce that Valmont joins the long list of top US companies successfully operating in Kazakhstan. The UN Food and Agriculture Organization recognized Kazakhstan as one of the 5 most perspective agriculture producers globally, and potentially a top player in ensuring regional and international food security in the coming years. Given the major increases in the importance of the issue of food security in the context of the ongoing and potential future pandemics, it is instrumental that we speed up our efforts in realizing this potential. This is why we so deeply value the role Valmont Industries is willing to play in this process by bringing their production capacity, human capital, and best practices here.”