Monitoring sugar beet emergence and promoting innovative soil crust management practices in the Chui region

On April 10, 2026, a field visit was conducted in the villages of Aral, Ak-Bashat, Bekitai, and Bokso Zhol in Zhayyl district of Chui region within the framework of the “Value Chain Agro Finance” project.

The purpose of the visit was to monitor sugar beet emergence, discuss the results of spring field operations, and promote methods for managing soil crusting. The visit was coordinated by project expert Elvira Suvanova with the participation of agronomist Taalay Baitulenov.

During the monitoring, 8 farms were assessed. In general, sowing and fertilizer application have been completed, and chemical weeding has begun on some fields. Crop conditions are generally stable, although certain plots show moisture deficiency and active weed growth, requiring immediate intervention.

Particular attention was given to key technological insights. Farmers, taking into account the negative experience of 2025, introduced an innovative method to break soil crust by wrapping chains around tractor tires. This approach proved effective in breaking the crust formed after rainfall and helped preserve crop emergence.

Digital support also played an important role. Based on last year’s challenges, the TES Center developed technical guidelines and a series of video tutorials on spring field operations. These materials were rapidly shared via WhatsApp groups, enabling farmers to respond to risks in a timely manner.

Spring rains contributed to good soil moisture overall, but in some fields moisture deficiency and weed pressure remain an issue.

The 2026 season is accompanied by several challenges. Rising prices for mineral fertilizers and limited availability of certain inputs continue to create economic barriers. In addition, strict monitoring of timely chemical weeding is essential.

As a result of the visit, it was recommended to strengthen field-level monitoring of soil moisture, especially in remote areas. It was also proposed to document and scale up the farmer-developed method of soil crust management for wider dissemination.