Astana. March 20. Kazakhstan Today - Kazakhstan in current year will increase the areas under crops by 700 thousand hectares. Vice Minister of Agriculture Akylbek Kurishbayev stated today at the press conference, the agency reports. "Owing to the state support and crediting, areas under crops in Kazakhstan will not be reduced, but are planned to be increased," A. Kurishbayev informed. "Earlier, the area under crops made 18.9 million hectares, but this year according to the plans, the areas will be increased by up to 19.6 million hectares. Accordingly, the areas under crops of grain will be increased up to 17 million hectares and wheat - up to 13.5 million hectares," he specified. Vice Minister explained that in comparison with last year "the area under crops in the Republic will increase by 700 thousand hectares, grain - by 600 thousand hectares, including wheat - by 600 thousand hectares." "It is the highest parameter for the last 10 years since 1998," he emphasized.