Kick-off Meeting on the Creation of the Regional Network for the Digital Scientific Information Platform "ExSoil & Smart Agriculture" and Signing of a Strategic Cooperation Agreement in Kazakhstan

March 11, 2026, Almaty, Kazakhstan – The National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Kazakhstan under the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan (NAS RK), together with the Institute of Soil Science at Leibniz University Hannover (Germany), has begun the implementation of the large-scale international project "ExSoil." The kick-off meeting was held in Almaty, dedicated to creating a regional network for the digital scientific information platform "ExSoil & Smart Agriculture". This platform is designed to become the foundation for the sustainable development of the agro-industrial complex not only in Kazakhstan but also in Central Asian countries and Mongolia.

A key moment of the event was the official signing of the Cooperation Agreement in the field of innovative projects. The document solidified the partnership between two leading scientific organizations: the National Academy of Sciences of the RK under the President of the RK and the Institute of Soil Science at Leibniz University Hannover.

The agreement provides for joint work and the pooling of efforts to increase the competitiveness of science and innovation, as well as the creation of favorable conditions for the implementation of pilot projects in the agricultural sector.

The "ExSoil" project (Empowering Soil Health) is a response to global challenges such as land degradation, climate change, and the need to ensure food security.

• The initiative is supported and funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMFTR).
• Kazakhstan acts as the main coordination and methodological hub. In the future, the network will be expanded to Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Mongolia.

The central element of the project is the creation of the innovative digital scientific information platform "ExSoil & Smart Agriculture". This is not merely a database, but a comprehensive ecosystem for the integration of science, technology, and the real sector of the economy.

The platform will provide open access to the following resources:

• Research and Analytical Data: Collection of up-to-date information on soil conditions, pollution levels, and fertility potential.
• Methodological Support: Development and publication of recommendations on the use of bio- and phytoremediation, as well as modern agricultural technologies.
• Unified Digital Environment: A space for data storage, knowledge exchange, and consultations on implementing innovations in agriculture.

The project is aimed at forming a network of digital centers of excellence in the field of soil health and agroecology. A hub is being created on the basis of the Kazakh-German Center of the NAS RK, which will coordinate the work of scientists throughout the region.

One of the most promising directions of the platform will be the introduction of virtual solutions. In particular, the "Virtual Soil Research Laboratory" project is being discussed, which will allow for digital monitoring and analysis of agroecosystems without the need for a constant physical presence in remote regions.

Regional Challenges and Scientific-Technological Solutions

As part of the kick-off meeting, experts from Central Asia presented critical reports that will form the basis of the platform's work:

• Kyrgyzstan: Research on soil degradation and the impact of pesticide pollution, as well as management strategies through phytoremediation (Prof. Tinatin Doolotkeldieva).
• Tajikistan: Analysis of the ecological status of agricultural lands and finding ways to improve them (Prof. Firdavs Arabov).
• Kazakhstan: The role of soil health as a scientific basis for the country's climate and agricultural policy (Prof. Raushan Ramazanova).
• Mongolia: Assessment of soil conditions and determining paths for transboundary scientific cooperation (Prof. Avirmed Buyanbaatar and Kishigjargal Mokhor).

The project pays special attention to the development of human capital. Within the framework of the Agreement, the following are provided:

• Exchange programs for students and leading scientists.
• Scientific seminars, round tables, and summer schools in the regions of Kazakhstan.
• Training for farmers, representatives of Akimats (local government), and state bodies on the practical application of digital solutions in agriculture.

The implementation of the "ExSoil & Smart Agriculture" initiative will allow Kazakhstan to achieve a number of important goals:

1. Reduction of Land Degradation: Implementation of scientifically based soil restoration methods.
2. Climate Adaptation: Creation of resilient agro-landscapes capable of withstanding climate change.
3. Digitalization of the Agro-Industrial Complex: Transition to "smart" agriculture and improving the quality of investment planning.
4. Decarbonization: Development of carbon-saving technologies in the agro-industrial complex.

The project creates the basis for the formation of a key regional scientific-technological and digital hub in the Republic of Kazakhstan, uniting Germany, Central Asia, and Mongolia for the joint solution of global agricultural tasks.

Time: March 11, 2026, 14:00 (Wednesday)

Venue: Almaty, 28 Shevchenko St., Kazakh-German Center of the NAS RK under the President of the RK.

For additional information: Zhanna Sarsimbaevna Almanova, tel.: +7 771 298 7517