ASTANA – Eurasia Group has secured $33 million in financing from the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, to expand agricultural machinery distribution, maintenance and farmer training networks in Kazakhstan and the Kyrgyz Republic. The investment aims to increase agricultural productivity, strengthen food security and support an estimated 1,600 jobs across the two countries.
Photo: WORLD BANK Country Office in Kazakhstan
The financing will support the construction of four modern, energy-efficient service and distribution centers: three in Kazakhstan, in Astana, Pavlodar and Petropavlovsk, and one in Bishkek. The latter will be the Kyrgyz Republic’s first dedicated John Deere service center.
IFC is initially committing $18 million, including $15 million for Kazakhstan and $3 million for the Kyrgyz Republic. An additional $15 million may be made available to support the group’s further expansion in Kazakhstan.
Agriculture is central to Central Asia’s economies and rural livelihoods. However, many farmers continue to rely on aging, fuel-inefficient machinery that limits yields and raises operating costs. The project is expected to support around 1,600 full-time-equivalent direct and indirect jobs in local economies. It will also promote productivity through training and the transfer of new technologies.
Eurasia Group, a leading distributor and the region’s exclusive John Deere dealer since 2002, employs more than 600 people. By bringing service facilities closer to farming communities, the project is expected to reach around 1,700 additional farmers and improve their access to modern machinery.
“With IFC’s support, we will bring reliable equipment and maintenance closer to farmers while investing in skills, knowledge, and digital tools to help them succeed,” said Mustafa Sahin, president & CEO of Eurasia Group AG
“Modern farm services can help Central Asia’s farmers increase productivity, strengthen rural livelihoods, and better manage changing weather conditions. Through this partnership, farmers will gain better access to modern equipment, training, and support to improve yields and create jobs in rural communities,” said Wagner Albuquerque de Almeida, IFC’s regional industry director for manufacturing, agribusiness and services in the Middle East and Central Asia.
The project also includes climate and education initiatives. All four new service centers will be certified under IFC’s EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies) green building standard. The certification is expected to help reduce energy consumption at the facilities by 20% and avoid an estimated 1,674 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions annually.
