Keywords

Agro-Industrial Complex, Clusters, Agrarian Education, Kazakhstan.

Introduction

Over the past decade, strategic changes have been observed in the food security and agro-industrial sector (Mathe, 2013). One of such changes is the paradigm shift in the theory of strategic interaction between large industrial enterprises and small businesses, the use of adaptive forms of their interaction (Dudin et al., 2015). The modern agro-industrial complex of developed countries consists of agro-clusters which are self-organizing structures capable of integrating the activities of small and medium-sized enterprises into added value, using modern information technology (Zavyalov et al., 2017). The main factor of the existence of clusters is that they represent integration of science, government bodies and business entities. The exclusion of any of the above links makes it impossible to use the cluster approach effectively (Tokolova, 2016)

The position of small holders in different agricultural food chains is determined by the relative profitability, rather than by the relative effectiveness of the small holder (Zoomers, 2010; Borras et al., 2012). Agro-business is characterized by intense competition, monopoly price control, marketing wars, financial investments, new technologies, as well as by logistical control and an increase in production scale (Newman, 2009; Lapavitsas, 2009). For example, competition in the pineapple industry has led to a decline in small-scale production in Ghana and the consolidation of vertical integration through transnational corporations. The collapse of small-scale production gave way to large estates and the production reorganization (Amanor, 2012). In Chile the state acts as a political intermediary in economic adjustments. It hastens collective learning, contributes to debates and provides direction and resources, assists and identifies their comparative indicators to the world standards (Perez-Aleman, 2000). The development of agro-industrial clusters combined with the growth of their scientific intensity and innovation takes place in the USA, Denmark, Finland, China and other developed countries. This creates a global trend toward clustering, which is based on the latest achievements in science and technology (Crescenzi et al., 2007; Zemtsov et al., 2016).

Vertical integration has been a characteristic feature of Kazakhstan’s agro-industrial complex since 2001 (Drew, 2009). The main problems of the agro-industrial complex development in Kazakhstan are: technologically it lags behind the developed countries; slow rates of social development of rural areas, which determine the deterioration of the socio-demographic situation; ineffective training of qualification specialists in profession-oriented institutions (Tazhibaev et al., 2014). In 2014 the government launched the project "Diversification of Kazakhstan's economy through the cluster development" and revealed how this goal should be achieved. It must be achieved through the promotion of clusters, which is a specific form of industrial organization, in which firms and associated institutions are linked geographically in some way (Smagulova, 2016).

Educational institutions should also consider the development of a training platform for future specialists, who are ready for new concepts and forms in the agro-industrial complex (Corcoran & Wals, 2004). In our research we have studied agro-industrial formations as economic agents, using the example of agro-industrial clusters. We have also analyzed the implementation of the innovative aspect, which was the main point in the concept of promising national clusters in the Kazakhstan until 2020. By means of autocorrelation of the time series, it was estimated how profession-oriented education affects the economic performance of the agro-industrial formations.

Methodology

The materials presented in this paper are based on the statistical data collected from the reports of the Ministry of Agriculture and Agency of Statistics of the Republic of Kazakhstan, as well as on the concept of the formation of promising national clusters in Kazakhstan until 2020 and Rating Agency. Additionally, the information from the books, scientific and statistical journals, laws and regulations of the regional and municipal authorities was used.

The methodology is based on the comparative analysis of the effectiveness of agro-industrial clusters as economic agents in the Republic of Kazakhstan. The research is focused on the necessary components for the development of promising national clusters. We have also identified the interrelated components that should be included in the development of agro-industrial clusters (Figure 1). More attention was paid to the educational and innovative factors, since they are the least considered factors in the literature.

The knowledge of future agronomists is one of the factors influencing the development of agro-industrial cluster formations. To assess it 2 questionnaires among graduates of agricultural institutions in Kazakhstan (technical schools, universities, colleges) specializing in crops and livestock were conducted. Each questionnaire consisted of 30 questions on principal subjects, as well as questions on entrepreneurship and management. Each question gave 3 points.

Discussion and Results

According to the concept of the formation of promising national clusters in the Republic of Kazakhstan till 2020, the initial cluster policy in Kazakhstan was formed on two basic approaches:

1. Clusters in industrial sectors based on the use of natural resources, which will form the core of the economy in the nearest future.

2. Service clusters that will strengthen Kazakhstan's position.

According to the concept, the clusters of the agro-industrial complex consist of a cluster council under the chairmanship of the Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan; members of the council: National Chamber of Entrepreneurs (branch association), branch scientific research institutes, AOE “Nazarbayev University”, AO "Management Company SEZ PIT", universities.

ACTIVE INNOVATIVE AND TECHNOLOGICAL POLICY

The state policy of cluster development included a wide range of activities in the following areas: production and infrastructure projects, creation of institutional conditions for development, scientific and educational potential development, organizational support (concept). Let's consider how the direction of the country’s innovative development was realized.

Active Innovative and Technological Policy, the Formation of Innovative Entrepreneurship

The active policy is being implemented to create platforms for agro-industrial start-ups in Kazakhstan. The number of start-ups for the period from 2017 to 2018 in agriculture, forestry and fisheries totalled 2.2 thousand companies, an annual increase of 35.6%. Compared to the period of 2010-2014, it is a progress, but in comparison with the developed countries like Sweden and the USA, this is a very low indicator (Geldes et al., 2017; Vojnovi? et al., 2014)

In the patenting activity Kazakhstan ranks 42 out of 141 countries. According to the National Scientific Portal of the Republic of Kazakhstan, from 2010 to 2014 503 patents in agriculture were issued. According to In Cites, 2011-2015, the contribution to the world agricultural science is 1.88. The review of the world market AgFunder (2015) showed that the leaders in the innovation are the USA, India and China.

One of the goals of the economy modernization on the basis of cluster development was the creation of a platform for the introduction of innovative technological developments in the agro-industrial complex. But as it can be seen from the analysis, this task is only at an early stage.

State Support of Agro-Industrial Formations on the Example of Cluster Initiatives

In the effective development of agro-industrial clusters the main role belongs to the state. The main efforts should be aimed at subsidizing, attracting investments, production modernization. The creation of clusters is also closely linked with the development programming for the regions as structure-forming elements. First of all, agriculture optimal pricing is needed for the agro-industrial complex development. One of the indicators of the effectiveness of agrarian clusters can be identified by the fact that since 2013 there has been a trend towards an increase in total GDP (Figure 2). It is a positive aspect that Kazakhstan is one of the world's leading exporters of grain and flour. The Republic ranks among the top ten suppliers of wheat to the world market and is the leader in export of flour. For example, in 2008-2012 the average annual volume of grain exports amounted to 8.2 million tons and increased by 2.5 million tons or 42.6% compared to the previous five-year period (data from the report of the Agricultural Statistics Committee). It is important to note that the dynamics of cluster management depends on the creation of institutions that act as bridges to improve cooperation between small and medium-sized enterprises in the context of poor infrastructure and institutions. In its turn this helps them achieve greater collective efficiency and gives the access to global markets (Mesquita & Lazzarini, 2008). Cluster policy should combine infrastructural support with the introduction of new organizational forms and communications. An important condition for the formation of effective agro-industrial clusters is the rapid introduction of modern technologies and the development of a new class of entrepreneurs with creative mind and behavior.

Figure 2: A) TOTAL GDP FROM LIVESTOCK, B) FROM CROP PRODUCTION IN KAZAKHSTAN (MINISTRY OF NATIONAL ECONOMY OF THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN, AGENCY OF STATISTICS FOR THE PERIOD FROM 2008 TO 2017)

INFLUENCE OF EDUCATION ON THE AGRO-ENTERPRISE DEVELOPMENT

Qualified specialists in entrepreneurial activity, agro-industrial and management spheres should work in agro-industrial enterprises to ensure effective functioning (Azis et al., 2018, Kuratko & Morris, 2018). In order to determine how many graduates of agricultural educational institutions possess this knowledge, we conducted a research. According to the questionnaire (Figure 3) from 2008 to 2010, the level of knowledge with “below average” performance was significantly higher. From 2011 to 2013, there is an upward trend in the competence of graduates. And from 2014 to 2016, the performance was almost at the same level, but 5% higher the “above average” (Figure 3).

Figure 3: RESULTS OF THE SURVEY

To analyze the influence, the time series auto-correlation model was used (Lichstein et al., 2002). Positive results of the survey and data on the GDP of crop production and livestock were selected for comparison (Figure 2). When analyzing, we took into account that the knowledge of graduates will be shown in entrepreneurial activity in 4 years.

According to the data in Tables 1 and 2, there is a strong correlation (0.82) between the level of knowledge of the 2008 graduates and the total income of GDP in 2012 from crop production and livestock. As the results of the questionnaire show, in 2008 the “below average” rates were 60% higher than the “above average”. Therefore, in 2012 there is a decline in GDP (Figure 2b). It should be noted that graduates are 10% of the total number of workers in the agro-industrial enterprises. According to the data in Tables 1 and 2, there is a strong correlation between the rates and GDP in 2012. Figure 3 shows that from 2010 to 2015 the level of graduates’ grades increased, and in 2014-2018 we observe the growth of GDP (Figure 2). It should be noted that the highest “above average” rates were received in 2013, and then according to the analysis we must observe GDP growth in 2017. In 2017 (Figure 2), compared to the previous years, the maximum total GDP is observed in both livestock and crop production. Thus, when making decisions on the development of the agro-industrial complex, we should pay attention to the training of specialists, encourage them to make decisions, manage and organize work in agro-industrial enterprises

Table 1 AUTOCORRELATION LINK BETWEEN EDUCATION AND ECONOMIC EFFECT
Year	Pearson	Kendall	Spearman
2008	0.38	0.288	0.38
2009	0.24	0.22	0/31
2010	0.35	0.428	0.52
2011	0.54	0.52	0.6
2012	0.82	0/94	0/866
2013	0/92	0.8	0/9
2014	0/92	1	1
2015	0/97	1	1
2016	1	1	1

 

Table 2 THE AUTOCORRELATION RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN EDUCATION AND THE ECONOMIC EFFECT (LIVESTOCK)
Year	Pearson	Kendall	Spearman
2008	0.4	0.24	0.32
2009	0.1	0.08	0.15
2010	0.5	0.26	0.22
2011	0.4	0.24	0.28
2012	0.95	0.94	0.866
2013	0.86	0.8	0.9
2014	0.98	1	1
2015	0.97	1	1
2016	1	1	1

Conclusion

In the agro-industrial formations, agro-industrial clusterization is of particular importance, since it makes it possible to control the market at the regional and interregional level. In its turn, the state in its policy for the development of agro-industrial formations should: increase innovation and technology support, develop the scientific and educational potential of the younger generation, train creative specialists in entrepreneurial sector and form a modern basis for entrepreneurship development. Autocorrelation analysis showed that there is strong autocorrelation dependence between the level of academic training of graduates from agricultural institutions and economic indicators (Pearson 0.85). The results of the research showed that the level of specialist training affects the economic indicators of the agro-industrial complex, and the result of the work can be assessed in a four-year period.

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