Astana, 20 October 2026 – The capital of Kazakhstan hosted the 2nd International Conference “Agriculture and Climate Protection”, bringing together Kazakhstani and Hungarian experts to discuss modern agricultural technologies, sustainable farming practices and new economic opportunities for agricultural producers.
The conference was organised by the Hungarian company International Climate Change Solutions (ICCS), with the support of the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Hungary and the national company KAZAKH INVEST.
How can soil fertility be preserved amid climate change, the effects of drought mitigated, and environmentally sustainable farming practices transformed into an additional source of income? These issues were at the centre of the conference discussions.
One of the key topics was the development of carbon farming, an approach in which agricultural practices contribute to carbon sequestration in the soil. Verified results of such activities can serve as the basis for issuing carbon credits and subsequently selling them on international markets.
Economic interest in carbon farming is growing amid increasingly stringent international climate requirements and the development of carbon credit markets. The European Union is introducing harmonized certification standards for carbon removal projects, while international companies are paying increasing attention to verified emissions reductions. For Kazakhstani agricultural producers, this creates additional opportunities to generate income through the sale of certified carbon credits.
The Hungarian company ICCS is developing a corresponding program in Kazakhstan in cooperation with local agricultural producers. The initiative aims to improve soil conditions, introduce sustainable farming practices and create new economic opportunities for agribusinesses.
Scientific developments and practical solutions for preserving soil resources featured prominently in the conference program. Hungarian specialists presented research findings on carbon balance, microbiological technologies for improving soil fertility, as well as methods for mitigating the effects of drought and ensuring the efficient use of moisture in crop production.
One of the keynote speakers was Professor József Zsembeli, Head of the Institute of Climate Research in Karcag, Hungary, whose work focuses on soil processes and the environmental impact of agricultural technologies.
During the conference, Professor Zsembeli was awarded the title of Honorary Professor of Saken Seifullin Kazakh Agrotechnical Research University. This achievement marked another step towards strengthening scientific and educational cooperation between Kazakhstan and Hungary.
The conference provided opportunities to exchange scientific knowledge, introduce modern technologies and expand business contacts between Kazakhstani and Hungarian organizations. Discussions also covered initiatives aimed at enhancing the resilience of Kazakhstan’s agricultural sector, developing the carbon credit market and attracting European investment into the agricultural sector.
For reference: ICCS (International Climate Change Solutions Zrt.) specializes in sustainable and regenerative agriculture, greenhouse gas emissions reduction, and the development of the carbon credit market. The company supports agricultural producers in adopting environmentally sustainable farming practices, improving soil fertility, increasing soil carbon content, and monitoring environmental outcomes. In Kazakhstan, ICCS is developing the SCETA (Supporting a Sustainable Circular Economy Transition in Agriculture for Carbon Neutralization) project, which aims to introduce sustainable agricultural technologies and generate carbon credits for subsequent sale on the voluntary carbon market. The project includes providing advisory support to local agricultural producers, applying soil bio stimulants, and improving the system for monitoring soil carbon content.
