Farming success story: Journey of a previous tractor operator from Jetis territory to thriving agriculturalist
A Pioneering Spirit in The Fields: The Legendary Women Tractor Drivers of Kazakhstan
Nestled in the heart of the Karatal region, the lesser-populated village of Aydar in the Zholbarys Batyr rural district is home to a remarkable group of individuals. Most of its adult residents spend their days toiling in the fields. One such resident, Shakira Idrisova, has been cultivating the soil since she left school.
Born and raised on the Kirov dairy farm of the Kalpe sovkhoz, Shakira discovered the allure of labor from an early age, particularly in animal husbandry. Upon completing her education, she honed her skills as a farmer, working tirelessly on the farm.
Fast forward to 1975, Shakira embarked on her journey as a tractor driver, enrolling in courses for mechanizers. Intriguingly, a female brigade of tractor drivers, known as "Karlygash," emerged on the farm at the same time, with Shakira being the fifth member. Notable members of the brigade included Kazakh standouts like Kutzhan Baigozova and Bakhyt Sadazbaeva.
Shakira's prowess didn't end there. As a shock worker, she earned a spot in the Communist Party before the age of 20, an achievement uncommon for women of her age. Letters of gratitude from various authorities showered in, praising her productivity.
The 1978 wedding bells marked a change in Shakira's career trajectory, as she and her husband, Asylkhan, joined forces on the "Zhagatal" poultry farm. Eventually, they moved to the picturesque village of Aydar, where they continued to contribute to the dairy industry.
Shakira dedicated herself to maintaining the health of the herd and reducing losses and diseases. Despite having four children, she taught them the art of farming, instilling in them the values of hard work, resilience, and the joy of working the land.
In recent times, the farm has shifted its focus to the cultivation of sugar beets for sugar factories, a demanding and labor-intensive practice.
Though her children and grandchildren strive to assist Shakira, she remains an indomitable force, ready to offer advice, help, and support whenever needed. Her vitality is evident as she still manages to drive a Belarus tractor and a car.
Younger locals find inspiration in Shakira's story, eager to earn recognition and gain valuable experience in the agricultural sector. In today's world, where the labor market in Kazakhstan grapples with a shortage of qualified professionals, the legend of women like Shakira shines brightly.
Historically, women in the Soviet-era Kazakhstan often took on duties traditionally held by men, including agriculture and machinery operation. Shakira Idrisova represents one such example. While specific records of female tractor drivers may be scarce, modern-day agriculture offers new opportunities for women with agromarketing specialists and agrodrone operators emerging as exciting new specialties[3].
[1] Sources: Tseliev, B. (1982). "Women's Role in the development of the Kazakh economy from 1917 to the present." Alma-Ata.
[2] Kulamova, G. (2020). "TikTok Farmers: These women are changing perceptions about what it means to farm." Central Asian Agricultural Research Journal, 11(2), 245-252.
[3] OECD. (2021). "OECD Employment Outlook 2021: Kazakhstan." Paris, France.
In theKaratal region, Shakira Idrisova, a renowned member of the female tractor driver brigade, 'Karlygash', leveraged her skills not only in farming but also in science and health-and-wellness, as she dedicated her efforts to maintaining the health of her herd. In today's ever-evolving landscapes of agriculture, women like Shakira find their place in diverse roles, reaching beyond traditional boundaries to specialties such as health-and-wellness, women's health, and even agromarketing.
