New ideas designed to modernize the agricultural sector have appeared within the walls of Shakarim University

From December 6 to 8, Shakarim University hosted the technological Solveathon “AI-Sana Shakarim Solveathon: AI&Agriculture-2025” as part of the national AI-Sana program. This is one of the large-scale events aimed at developing digital and agricultural technology solutions based on artificial intelligence.

AI-Sana Shakarim Solveathon is an innovation marathon that provides students, young scientists, researchers and start-up teams with the opportunity to quickly develop effective and practical solutions to real-life problems in the agricultural sector. The main goal of Solvaton is the creation of new projects and products aimed at solving pressing problems of agriculture in Kazakhstan using artificial intelligence technologies.

The event is designed to strengthen the connection between science, education and business, as well as to attract the technological potential of young people to the sustainable development of the regional agricultural sector. This is a platform that develops the creative abilities of a new generation of specialists and gives impetus to the digitalization of the agricultural industry.

At the official opening, Vice Minister of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan Dinara Shcheglova emphasized that technologization of the agricultural sector is one of the strategic priorities for the country's development. Deputy akim of the region Abay Duman Ospanov noted that this initiative will have a great impact on the diversification of the regional economy and bringing the agricultural sector to a new technological level, emphasizing the readiness of local authorities to support the best solutions.

Rector of Shakarim University Duman Orynbekov, recalling the instructions of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to increase agricultural productivity, noted:

“It is impossible to solve agricultural problems using traditional methods alone. We need new technologies such as artificial intelligence. Today’s Solvaton is a unique platform for the implementation of the President’s strategic goals.”

He emphasized the opportunities for significant resource savings and manifold productivity increases through big data analysis and the introduction of artificial intelligence systems in agriculture.

Representatives of large agro-industrial enterprises - General Director of the Qazaq-astyq group Maksot Kulturkmenov, Director of ZhanAssyl LLP Baglan Danabekov, representative of Eurasia AgroSemey LLP Sagit Islambek, shared opinions on the process of automation of agriculture, the future of smart farming systems and the role of artificial intelligence algorithms in production.

For the first time in Kazakhstan, the “AI-Sana Shakarim Solveathon: AI&Agriculture-2025” brought together teams from 8 higher educational institutions of the country. Participants spent three days creating prototypes to solve specific problems and develop new products that could take agriculture into the future. The teams presented projects in the field of artificial intelligence aimed at solving enterprise problems voiced by enterprise representatives, and defended their solutions before the commission.

According to the results of the competition, the team of the Al-Farabi Kazakh National University took first place (certificate worth 1 million tenge). Second place was taken by the joint team of Shakarim University, Alikhan Bokeikhan University and the International University of Information Technologies (certificate worth 700 thousand tenge). Third place was awarded to the team of the East Kazakhstan Technical University named after D. Serikbaev (500 thousand tenge).

Solvaton was an event demonstrating the potential of using artificial intelligence to solve specific problems in the agricultural industry. During intensive work, the participants not only proposed new ideas, but also proved their practical applicability in production. The winning projects will help partner businesses optimize workflows, reduce costs and increase productivity.

"AI-Sana Shakarim Solveathon: AI&Agriculture-2025" marked a new stage in the integration of agricultural technologies and artificial intelligence, inspiring the country's young researchers and developers to create innovative solutions. This initiative will become one of the effective platforms that will give impetus to the digital transformation of the agricultural sector in the future.