Efficiency of using agricultural land in Kazakhstan

The paper evaluates the use efficiency of agricultural land in the Republic of Kazakhstan using physical and relative measures, as well as a consolidated criterion defined as the volume of gross output of crops per 100 ha of agricultural land. The assessment of agricultural land use was conducted in the period between 2012 and 2016, after which the acquired results were benchmarked against the results of 1990. That year was set as a reference point since it gives an indication of the Republic's achievements in agriculture while it was still part of the USSR. The undertaken analysis has shown that between 2012 and 2016, most agricultural land use metrics tended to have a positive dynamic. Despite that, the country has never regained the agricultural performance level it had back in 1990. The agricultural land use score according to the consolidated criterion has also demonstrated an insufficient land use performance compared to Russia, Belarus and Ukraine. The approved ABI Growth Government Program for 2017-2021 outlines efforts aimed at the efficient utilization of the country's land resources, helping boost the output of domestic products.