Abstract
Abstract The Nura River basin is located on the territory of Central Kazakhstan and is a single territorial-production structure with a developed industry that plays an important role in the economy of the entire Kazakhstan. Effective industrial development should be based on the well-tailored farming industry. However, significant continentality of the target basin, along with orographic conditions, predetermines high heat and power and scarce water resources, which negatively affect the crop productivity. The paper analyzes the current status of land reserves nearby the Nura River basin, with due account for climatic conditions and water availability, considers the modern composition and structure of cultivated areas, indicating the leading sectors constituting the farming industry, and also outlines the main directions and prospects for the development of agriculture for the coming period. It provides the rationale for sustainable agriculture along with industrial development of the basin. Due to the location of the basin in the zone of dry steppes and semi-desert zones, the paper shows the need to use irrigation reclamation as the main way to increase the crop yield.