Kazakhstan, Italy deepen cooperation in agriculture, higher education
Italy backs hemp cultivation and opens university branch as Kazakhstan boosts self-reliance through tech, research, and green industry
ASTANA, Kazakhstan (MNTV) — Kazakhstan and Italy are advancing a new phase of bilateral cooperation focused on sustainable agriculture and academic exchange, with two major initiatives announced this month in the fields of industrial hemp cultivation and higher education.
The Italian agricultural organization Unione Coltivatori Italiani (UCI), one of the oldest in Europe, is exploring a project to cultivate and process industrial hemp in Kazakhstan for applications in textiles, construction, and pharmaceuticals.
The initiative, facilitated by national investment agency Kazakh Invest, is expected to begin with pilot plots of up to 100 hectares across multiple regions, using only non-narcotic hemp strains compliant with international standards on tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) content.
If successful, the project will be expanded and integrated with local processing capacities, enabling the production of fibers, oils, biomaterials, and biocomposites using modern agricultural technologies.
Italian representatives emphasized the importance of regulatory compliance and coordination with Kazakh research institutions, especially in medicine, sustainable farming, and construction materials.
The move follows Kazakhstan’s recent legalization of industrial hemp under strict state oversight. Though the idea was first proposed in 2016, momentum only returned in 2025 with new legislation allowing non-psychoactive hemp cultivation for industrial use.
The Ministry of Agriculture has also indicated plans to use domestically grown hemp in high-security paper production for identity documents.
The Italian delegation’s engagement reflects a broader strategic interest in Central Asia’s emerging agricultural markets, particularly in sustainable development and value-added production chains.
Meanwhile, in a parallel development, Italy’s Marche Polytechnic University of Ancona has opened a branch campus at Zhetysu University in Taldykorgan, a key city in southeastern Kazakhstan. The new academic hub will focus on disciplines aligned with the region’s agri-tech priorities, including agriculture, food engineering, tourism, digital technologies, and economics.
At the inauguration on July 16, attended by regional and national officials, Minister of Science and Higher Education Sayasat Nurbek highlighted the critical need for local expertise in agronomy and digital skills, especially to support the growth of Kazakhstan’s greenhouse and agri-industrial sectors.
Zhetysu Region Governor Beibit Isabayev announced government scholarships for the first wave of students, underscoring the administration’s commitment to strengthening human capital.
Students enrolled in the new branch will have access to dual diplomas, joint research programs, and international internships, with Italian faculty participating directly in course delivery.
Italian Ambassador Antonello De Riu called the initiative “a real step forward” in strengthening bilateral ties, describing the partnership as a core part of Italy’s international strategy.
With industrial hemp cultivation on the horizon and a transnational university now on the ground, the Kazakh-Italian partnership is increasingly taking shape across sectors—merging agriculture, education, innovation, and shared strategic vision.
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