Faculty of agronomy

The Faculty of Agronomy was established on October 3, 1957, with the aim of training highly qualified agronomists for the northern regions of Kazakhstan. The formation and development of the faculty are closely associated with the names of prominent scholars such as I.Ya. Polovitsky, L.S. Roktanen, M.M. Kleev, V.A. Kudryavtsev, M.V. Afanasyev, N.I. Mozhaev, Z.P. Karamshuk, N.G. Shchepetkov, K.K. Arinov, V.G. Chernenok, R.Kh. Karipov, A.V. Ivannikov, N.A. Shestakova, and N.I. Zotikov, who laid the foundations for and advanced scientific schools in the fields of crop production and plant growing.

At the initial stage of its development, the faculty benefited from the active participation of scholars from leading higher education institutions of the former Soviet Union, who served as deans in different years:
T.S. Steinberg (1959–1960), L.F. Vermel (1960–1962), N.D. Avdeenko (1963), P.V. Petkilev (1963–1966), D.N. Lukanchev (1966–1969), A.V. Ivannikov (1969–1970; 1974–1976), A.G. Ten (1969–1974), V.M. Volodin (1974), A.N. Nurgaliyev (1976–1978), and A.G. Nesterenko (1978–1981).

A significant contribution to the further development of the faculty was made by its alumni who served as deans:
K.K. Arinov (1981–1990), V.I. Zotikov (1990–1993), and Zh.K. Kairzhanov (1993–2000).

During the period of active expansion of the university’s international cooperation, the faculty was headed by graduates of subsequent years:
I.I. Zhumagulov (2000–2002), K.M. Musynov (2002–2004), N.A. Serekpayev (2004–2007; 2010–2015), G.Zh. Stybayev (2007–2010; 2015–2021; 2022–2023), A.P. Nauanova (2021–2022), and B.K. Arinov (2024–2025).

As the educational process evolved, the faculty’s departments were gradually established and strengthened. A major milestone was the creation of dissertation councils:
– in 1972, for awarding the degree of Candidate of Agricultural Sciences;
– since 2003, for awarding the degree of Doctor of Sciences;
– since 2015, for awarding the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

Research activity at the faculty has been carried out on a continuous basis.
Since 1970, an experimental field covering 250 hectares has been operating within the educational and experimental farm, where research on key issues of virgin land farming was conducted, and students completed their academic and research-based agronomic training.
Since 2015, the university has operated an educational and research campus in the Tselinograd District, with a total area exceeding 1,500 hectares.

In 2004, the faculty transitioned to a credit-based education system.
Since 2013, a dual education system has been introduced at graduating departments in cooperation with leading scientific and production centers of the Akmola Region, including the A.I. Baraev Research and Production Center for Grain Farming, the Republican Scientific and Methodological Center of Agrochemical Service, the Research and Production Center for Forestry, Karaganda Research Institute of Crop Production and Breeding, North Kazakhstan Research Institute of Agriculture, and other organizations.

In 2020, the university was joined by the A.I. Baraev Research and Production Center for Grain Farming, the North Kazakhstan Agricultural Experimental Station, and the Kazakh Research Institute of Forestry and Agroforestry Reclamation, which significantly expanded opportunities for scientific research and practical training of students.

Prior to reorganization, the faculty consisted of three departments: Crop Farming and Plant Production, Soil Science and Agrochemistry, and Biology, Plant Protection and Quarantine.
As a result of reorganization in September 2025, the Faculty of Agronomy and the Faculty of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment were merged and renamed the Institute of Agriculture and Forestry.
Since September 2025, the Institute has been headed by Candidate of Biological Sciences, Associate Professor Gulmira Kalmashevna Satybaldieva.

Faculty of forestry, wildlife and environment

Training of specialists in forestry and ecology began in 2001, following the directive of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan N.A. Nazarbayev on the establishment of a green belt around the city of Astana, which has since become a habitat for wildlife and formed a true forest ecosystem. It is widely recognized that forests are an integral part of the ecological system, which justified the integration of these areas for specialist training.

The Faculty of Forestry, Wildlife and Environment officially began its history on April 30, 2021. More than 2,000 specialists have been trained at the faculty, many of whom currently hold leading engineering and administrative positions in the national economy of Kazakhstan, as well as in CIS countries and abroad.

The faculty comprised three departments:

• Department of Forest Resources and Forestry
• Department of Hunting and Fisheries
• Department of Ecology

Department of Forest Resources and Forestry

Training of forestry specialists at the Faculty of Agronomy began in 2001. Over time, due to changes in the national classification system, the names of specialties were modified:
– 4515 “Forestry and Park Management” (2001),
– 05807 “Forestry” (since 2004),
– 5B080700 “Forest Resources and Forestry” (since 2010).

In 2008, a master’s program 6M080700 “Forest Resources and Forestry” was launched, and since 2013, PhD doctoral training has been offered in the same field.
Initially, responsibility for forestry training rested with the Department of Crop Farming, later with the Department of Ecology and Forestry, which was reorganized in 2012 into the Department of Forest Resources and Forestry.

From 1960 to 2012, the departments of Crop Farming and Ecology and Forestry were headed by Doctor of Agricultural Sciences, Professor Lev Sergeyevich Roktanen, as well as Associate Professors A.V. Ivannin, R.Kh. Karipov, A.O. Amralin, I.I. Zhumagulov, Candidate of Technical Sciences, Associate Professor K.B. Masenov, Doctor of Agricultural Sciences D.N. Sarsekova, B. Zh. Tangatkanuly Boranbay, and T.S. Abzhanov.

In 2005, while summarizing the socio-economic development of Astana and outlining the tasks for the development and construction of the capital, President N.A. Nazarbayev emphasized the importance of training forestry specialists and instructed the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan to establish a dedicated faculty at S. Seifullin Kazakh AgroTechnical University.

To enhance practical training, in 2006, a new educational, research and production complex “Saryarka” was launched at the Forestry Research Institute in Shchuchinsk, equipped with modern classrooms and computer facilities. Training for 1st and 2nd year students is conducted in Astana, while 3rd and 4th year students study at the Saryarka complex.

Since 2008, the department has provided master’s training in Forest Resources and Forestry, and since 2013, master’s education has been delivered through a multilingual program (Kazakh, English, and Russian).
Since 2013, bachelor’s training under specialty 5B080700 “Forest Resources and Forestry” has been offered in two tracks: Protective Afforestation and Landscape Design and Greening.
In 2013, S. Seifullin KazATU obtained a license to train PhD doctors under specialty 6D080700 “Forest Resources and Forestry.”

Since 2001, more than 450 forestry specialists have graduated in the fields of Forestry and Park Management, Forestry, and Forest Resources and Forestry.

Department of Ecology

The history of the Department of Ecology dates back to 1980, with the establishment of the Department of Nature Protection. Its first head was Professor M.E. Vasilyev, Doctor of Agricultural Sciences. The department was later renamed Land Reclamation and Nature Protection.
At different times, it was headed by Associate Professors V.A. Vilms (1983–1986), M.B. Bedebayev (1986–1991), N.I. Wumbaldt (1991–1992), and M.G. Chekayev (1993–1995).

In 1994, the department was dissolved, and its disciplines and faculty members were transferred to the Land Management Faculty; in 1995, it was merged with the Department of Land Cadastre, and later with the Department of Geodesy.

In February 2001, the specialty 4504 “Agroecology” was opened at the Faculty of Agronomy, and the Department of Agroecology and Agrochemistry was established, consolidating all ecological disciplines from various faculties.
The department was headed by Doctor of Biological Sciences V.K. Azhbenov, and from July 2001, acting duties were assigned to Doctor of Agricultural Sciences, Professor V.G. Chernenok.
From 2002 to 2008, the department was led by PhD, Associate Professor U.Zh. Baidyusen.

In February 2008, A.P. Nauanova was elected head of the department. In the 2008–2009 academic year, a new Department of Ecology and Forestry was established, headed by I.I. Zhumagulov.
In September 2011, Associate Professor K.B. Masenov was elected head, followed by Candidate of Geographical Sciences S.M. Kulzhanova as acting head.
In May 2012, the department was headed by PhD, Associate Professor U.Zh. Baidyusen, and in August 2012, following reorganization, he became head of the newly established and currently operating Department of Ecology.

Subsequent heads of the department were:
S.M. Kulzhanova (September–November 2013); PhD G.E. Saspugayeva (December 2013 – August 2015); Candidate of Biological Sciences, Associate Professor G.K. Satybaldieva (September 2015 – August 2025).

Department of Hunting and Fisheries

The Department of Hunting and Fisheries was established in 2001. Specialist training is conducted under the following educational programs:
6B08301 “Hunting and Fur Farming,”
6B08401 “Aquaculture and Aquatic Bioresources,”
7M08401 “Intensive Fish Farming,”
7M08301 “Rational Use of Natural Bioresources,”
“Wildlife.”

The department was headed by Associate Professor Zh.K. Kurzhykayev (2001–2007); Associate Professor K.N. Syzdykov (2007–2014; 2018–2021); Associate Professor S.N. Narbayev (2014–2018); Senior Lecturer Zh.M. Karagoyshin (2021–2023); and Associate Professor G.A. Aubakirova (2023–2025).

To coordinate research activities in fisheries, participate in priority development areas, enhance faculty qualifications, and improve the educational process, the Research Center “Fisheries” was established in 2010.

Scientific research process is one of the priorities on a range of biologically and economically reasonable land use systems based on the principles of ecological and resource savings to ensure sustainable productivity of agricultural land and the reproduction of soil fertility.

Teachers of the Faculty of Agronomy participate in ERASMUS + CAPACITYBUILDING (capacity building) – Unwaste.

The Faculty of Agronomy operates under 8 existing cooperation agreements with foreign Universities and Research organizations – China, the Russian Federation, the USA, the EU (within the framework of scientific projects).
PROJECTS JOINTLY WITH CHINA    

"Introduction, breeding and distribution of new varieties of crops" in cooperation with the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, 36 varieties of various crops were tested for adaptive suitability; 31 varieties of 10 crops with a total weight of 207.14 kg were transferred to KATU.

Transfer of highly productive foreign potato varieties for seed production in Northern and Central Kazakhstan.

Creation of promising potato lines based on the genetic resources of the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Kazakhstan; Potatoes of the Shissen 6 variety entered the register of promising varieties of RKATSITELI.

A soybean cultivation project between Debont Corporation and the Faculty of Agronomy, 27 species of Chinese soybean varieties were sown on the KATRU campus for testing and adaptation on 0.03 hectares; 1,700 tons of early-ripening soybean seeds were delivered and sown on the KATU campus.

The following results were achieved in 2021-2023:

Developed:
- energy and soil-saving technology of agricultural crops cultivation;
- technology of rational use and improvement of natural forage lands,
- the technology of the raw material conveyor for year-round provision of full-fledged fodder for the cattle in the conditions of the arid steppe of the Akmola region;
- agroecology and soil fertility management and crop nutrition optimization;
- technologies for the effective use of extracts and waste substrates of mushrooms as a means of protecting potatoes;
- techniques for targeted soil fertility management and crop nutrition optimization;
- technologies for processing bird droppings into organic biofertilizer with the help of new domestic biological products and their introduction into crop production;
- methods of application of microorganisms in biotechnology and waste processing;

Created:
- glutinous hybrid millet materials of F3-F4 generations;
- mutant forms of millet.

Scientific research is being implemented for 2022-2024 and 2023-2025.:
- Development of adaptive techniques for increasing productivity and drought resistance of soft wheat in arid conditions of Central and Northern Kazakhstan using mathematical modeling;
- The use of DNA technologies in breeding and genetic studies of millet culture in the creation of new domestic drought-resistant varieties;
- Creation of precocious soybean source material with high productive and adaptive potential using molecular breeding methods for the conditions of Northern Kazakhstan;
- Molecular SNP labeling of soft wheat by the TaGW, TaGS and Rht genes for coarse grain and lodging resistance;
- Development of technology for the rational use of pasture lands;
- Development of technology for intensive cultivation of oyster mushrooms, blackberries and Lentinius edodes;
- Implementation and production of extracts of cultivated fungi active against pathogens of potato diseases;
- Development of an automated climate control system for cultivation of basidiomycetes based on microprocessors on a debugging board;
- Development of technology for processing sludge and "green" waste from urban plantations into organic fertilizer using domestic biological products.
 

In the 2014 - 2015 academic year, members of the faculty have been prepared and submitted 54 scientific applications for participation in the competition of the Committee of Science MES RK "Grant funding for research for 2015 - 2017". Of them have passed the competition and funded 21 projects.
The members of the faculty prepared and submitted research projects for the competition Program - target financing of the MES; Competition budget program 212 Ministry of Agriculture and international competition "Newton - Al Farabi."

Total funding of scientific research in the framework of budget programs in 2015 is 170.5 million tenge
(055 MES RK, direct contracts with business entities),
which is 49% higher than the funding in 2014
(055 MES RK, MA RK 212; 019 Ministry of Agriculture, international grants "Tempus"; direct contracts with economic entities - 89.1 million tenge)
In addition, research is being conducted by a registered initiative scientific - research topics.

LIST OF SCIENTIFIC SUBJECTS CONDUCTED IN 2015

Funded budget programme 055 of Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan "Scientific and / or scientific and technical activities" for 2015 - 2017:
by priority: Sustainable use of natural resources, processing of raw materials and products

- "Adapted technological solutions for legume crops production in organic farming", the supervisor N. Serekpayev, the amount of funding - 10.0 million KZT;

- "Scientific justification and the development of the intensive technologies of mini rotation growing of highly productive forest plantations for energy purposes and carbon sequestration in the Green Belt of Astana", the supervisor D. Sarsekova, the amount of funding - 10.0 million KZT;

- "Study of forest conditions drained coastal zone of the Balkhash Lake and the development of agricultural methods of afforestation", the supervisor S. Kabanova, the amount of funding - 5.0 million KZT;

- "Technology of biological reclamation of disturbed lands of rural areas in terms of dry steppe zone of northern Kazakhstan", the supervisor S. Kulzhanova, the amount of funding - 5.0 million KZT;

- "Working out innovation technology for taking ecological clean agricultural products with storing and increasing fruitfull soil on the basis of culture clover in the North Kazakhstan", the supervisor Y. Sagalbekov, the amount of funding - 5.0 million KZT;

- "Environmental assessment of roadside areas adjacent to major highways in the city of Astana", the supervisor A. Perzadayeva, the amount of funding - 3.0 million KZT.
by priority: Life Sciences

- "To develop methods of purposeful management of fertility of soils, in relation to system of exact agriculture, providing optimization of food and realization of potential of efficiency of oil-bearing crops in the conditions of production diversification", the supervisor A. Kurishbayev, the amount of funding - 10.0 million KZT;

- "Research the regularities changes of parameters of soil fertility and their influence on the yield of potato varieties, depending on the climatic conditions and the use of bio-organic and biomineral fertilizer in the conditions of Central Kazakhstan", the supervisor A. Kurishbayev, the amount of funding - 9.0 million KZT;

- "A variety of actynomicets in soils of Northern Kazakhstan: ecology, biology, producers of biologically active agents and their use in bioremediation of the polluted soils and protection of plants", the supervisor A. Nauanova, the amount of funding - 10.0 million KZT;

- "Agrotechnological evaluation of soybean varieties of different origin in the conditions of dry steppe zone of Northern and Central Kazakhstan", the supervisor N. Shestakova, the amount of funding - 8.5 million KZT;

- "Create spring triticale varieties for climatic conditions of dry steppes of North Kazakhstan with increased yield potential, high feeding value, increased adaptability and resistance to biotic and abiotic stress-factors the supervisor V. Shvidchenko, the amount of funding - 8.0 million KZT;

- "Study of fertilizer nitrogen transformation in the soil-plant system and development of methods of increasing productivity of grain crops and fertilizer efficiency under the conditions of the dry steppe zone of Northern Kazakhstan", the supervisor R. Ramazanova, the amount of funding - 8.0 million KZT;

- "Ways of realization of the genetic potential of sorts (hybrids) oil crops (sunflower, linseed) based on the use of adaptive technologies elements of cultivation for the dry steppe zone conditions of northern Kazakhstan", the supervisor Y. Gordeeva, the amount of funding - 7.6 million KZT;

- "Developing saving technologies for creation of high-yielding specialized pastures for cattle and small cattle for meat production through the efficient use of biological factors and renewable resources in the arid steppes of Central Kazakhstan", the supervisor G. Stybayev, the amount of funding - 7.6 million KZT;

- "Introduction of new easy silaged fodder crop barnyard grass (Echinochloa frumentacea) for the dry steppe zone of Central Kazakhstan", the supervisor A. Baitelenova, the amount of funding - 7.3 million KZT;

- "Develop a methodological basis for preventive pest control technology for particularly dangerous Italian locust (Calliptamus italicus L.) in order to reduce pesticide load on the environment", the supervisor V. Azhbenov, the amount of funding - 5.0 million KZT;

- "Development of technology for the use of non-traditional fertilizer to increase yields and the quality of sunflower seeds in the Pavlodar region", the supervisor S. Kulzhanova, the amount of funding - 5.8 million KZT;

- "Development of scientific bases of productivity increase of grain crops (triticale, rye) in the North Kazakhstan by optimization of mineral nutrition", the supervisor Y. Nurmanov, the amount of funding - 6.8 million KZT;

- "Development of raw conveyor for silage zea mais with sorgo-sudanese hybrids for meat and dairy farming in the conditions of Northern Kazakhstan", the supervisor M. Tynykulov, the amount of funding - 6.6 million KZT;

- "Creating a domestic bank of potato virus strains for production of highly sensitive diagnostic tests", the supervisor V. Hasanov, the amount of funding - 8.5 million KZT;

- "Increase of efficiency of new perspective grades of leguminous cultures by development of preserving technology of cultivation on the basis of different technologies of processing of soil for conditions of a droughty steppe zone of Northern Kazakhstan", the supervisor A. Kipshakbayeva, the amount of funding - 6.3 million KZT;

Direct contracts with business entities:

- Development and implementation of water-saving technologies of alternative crops cultivation in the conditions of Aznabay farm " Osakarovsky district, Karaganda region", the supervisor R. Karipov, the amount of funding - 0.5 million KZT;

- plan Ministry of Agriculture "Production and registration testing of herbicides," the supervisor R. Karipov, the amount of funding - 4.0 million KZT;

- according to the plan of the State Quarantine inspection in AIC MA RK (economic contracts theme №41) "Registration and production tests", the supervisor B. Sadykov, the amount of funding - 10.0 million KZT;

- "Development of methods and conducting ecological - Landscape green space inventory of Astana", the supervisor D. Sarsekova, the amount of funding is 3.0 million KZT.

Enterprising themes with the state registration:

- «Diversification of crops adapted to the arid steppe zone of Northern Kazakhstan on the basis of modern technologies», the supervisor K. Mussynov, state registration number 0112РК01808;

- "Formation of the harvest and sowing qualities of seeds linseed depending on agricultural practices in the steppe zone of northern Kazakhstan", the supervisor A. Begalina, state registration number 0113RK00680;

- "Investigation of the effect of food additives containing E code and GMOs on living organisms", the supervisor K. Satova, state registration number 0111 РК 00251.

According to the results of the research in 2014 the faculty of the Faculty published on:

- 6 articles in journals included in the base of Thomson Reuters, Scopus, Springer, Elsevier;

- 17 articles in journals included in the database RISC;

- 8 articles in journals included in the database CCES;

- Published 3 monographs.

It was awarded by 6 patents and innovation patents.

At the Faculty of function there are 2 Scientific Centers

1. Research and Educational Innovation Center of agro-biological research, the head – V.K. Shvidchenko;
2. Research - Innovation Center of phytosanitary monitoring of plant protection and quarantine, the head V.K. Azhbenov
   laboratories

- Scientific agrochemical laboratory;

- Laboratory evaluation of the quality of crop production;

- Laboratory of Seed;

- Laboratory of Agrometeorology.

As part of ongoing research work 10 employees have passed the international scientific training (A.P. Nauanova, V.G. Chernenok, A.A. Baytelenova, K.B. Massenov, A. Bahralinova, R.T. Nurmuhambetova, V.T. Hasanov, I.K. Maysupova, Z.T. Boranbai).

Within the framework of research work and to involve student youth in science, the faculty conducts student work contests. So, in the 2020-2021 academic year, 28 papers were received, including 22 - in Kazakh, 6 - in Russian, of which 26 were research papers and 2 were abstract.

The competition committee of the faculty decided to award prizes to the works and recommend them for participation in the university competition:

I degree diplomas 5 works(including in the state language - _3_ works, in Russian - _2_ works.

II degree diplomas 10 works(including in the state language - _7_ works, in Russian - _3_ works.

III degree diplomas 10 works(including in the state language - _9_ works, in Russian - _1_ work.           

Selected works are presented for a letter of thanks.           

LIST OF SCIENTIFIC TOPICS carried out within the framework of grant funding of the "Science Committee of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Kazakhstan" for the period 2020 - 2022:           

- "Adaptation of Kazakhstani phyto-lamps with automated control of spectrum change for the cultivation of vegetables in protected soil in various light zones of Kazakhstan", head of A. Turbekova, funding amount - 3.0 million tenge;           

- "Development of a raw material conveyor for year-round provision of high-grade feeds for small cattle (dairy goats) in the arid steppe of Akmola region", head Nogaev AA, funding amount - 12.1 million tenge;           

- “Phytosanitary control over non-herding locusts in agricultural areas of Northern Kazakhstan based on the innovation of GIS technologies and methods of remote sensing of the Earth”, head of Baybusenov KS, funding amount - 8.9 million tenge;           

Scientific support is carried out by leading faculty members within the framework of economic agreements with such organizations as Firma August JSC, (RF), XINJIANG INSTITUTE OF ECOLOGY AND GEOGRAPHY, Xisen Potato Industry Group Co, (CHINE), Astana NAN LLP, Building Group LLP astana, ASTYK-STEM LLP, ASKOP LLP, (Kazakhstan), etc.

Undergraduate enrollment for the 1st year of the 2020-2021 academic year of Agronomy faculty 

Enrollment of students on the master's program for the 1st year 2020-2021 academic year of Agronomy faculty

Enrollment of students for doctoral studies in the 1st year 2020-2021 academic yearof Agronomy faculty