Kyrgyzstan is located in Central Asia, west of China and south of Kazakhstan. The country's total land area is 199,951 sq km. In comparison, it is slightly larger than Senegal and similar in size to the state of South Dakota in the U.S. Kyrgyzstan’s climate ranges from dry continental in the mountains to subtropical in the southwest valley to temperate in the northern foothills. Of the total land area, only seven percent is utilized for cultivated crops, while no measurable amount of the total land supports permanent crops such as fruit- and nut-bearing trees. The country's population is approximately 5.4 million. Kyrgyzstan is a poor country with a predominantly agricultural economy. The country offers a diversity of agricultural products, though only tobacco and cotton are exported in measurable quantities. The country has been progressive in carrying out market reforms such as an improved regulatory system and land reform, and was the first Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) country to be accepted into the World Trade Organization. However, 40 percent of the nation’s residents continue to live in poverty. Other agricultural products from Kyrgyzstan include potatoes, vegetables, grapes, fruit, berries, livestock and wool. The EurAsia Division is responsible for IFDC activities in Kyrgyzstan.
Current IFDC Projects in Kyrgyzstan
- Kyrgyzstan Agro-Input Enterprise Development Follow-On Project, 2010-2012
The Follow-On project is helping to counter setbacks to agricultural intensification in the wake of Kyrgyz political and social disruptions in the spring of 2010. Mirroring its predecessor projects (2001-2010), the Follow-On project is assisting the sector to recover to 2009 wheat harvest highs, with one million metric tons to be produced in 2011. The project is expanding support and distribution systems to achieve sustained agricultural independence and creating public-private partnerships that facilitate technology introduction and business linkages. The project targets 20,000 farmers planting USAID-funded improved wheat varieties and 80,000 others adopting better farming and animal care practices. The project is introducing a voucher system and revolving fund for fertilizer procurement along with a land rehabilitation initiative, collaboration with organizations such as the Agribusiness Association of Kyrgyzstan (AAK) and a solid public outreach program.
The Kyrgyzstan Local Economic Development initiative within the Follow-On project is stimulating rapid and diversified agro-economic growth at the local level through advancements in business and investment environments. The initiative is increasing municipal finance and capital investment and improving the competitiveness of the agriculture and agro-processing sectors.
DONOR: U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
Recent IFDC Projects in Kyrgyzstan
- Kyrgyz Agro-Input Enterprise Development (KAED II) Project, 2008-2010
KAED II is an extension of the original KAED project (2001-2008). Its expanded scope includes both southern and northern Kyrgyzstan, and encourages farmers to adopt agricultural intensification practices that increase food production, improve animal health and increase rural incomes. The project creates sustainability at all levels, utilizing agribusiness and value chain members along with farmer and dealer associations.
DONOR: U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
- Kyrgyz Agro-Input Enterprise Development Project (KAED), 2001-2008
KAED, the predecessor to KAED II, supported the development of agro-dealers in Kyrgyzstan and increased agricultural production through the use of improved technologies. Among other efforts, KAED assisted inputs market development and training, integrated agricultural markets nationwide, developed an agro-dealer trade association and built public-private sector cooperation on policy and regulatory reforms.
DONOR: U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
Kyrgyzstan Information
Articles
Roy Visits Successful KAED Project in Kyrgyzstan
2011 Marks 10th Anniversary of IFDC in Kyrgyzstan
USAID Mission Director Visits Land Reclamation Site in Kyrgyzstan and USAID, IFDC and Kyrgyz Ministry of Agriculture Launch Seed Assistance Voucher Program
An IFDC Core Competency: Fertilizer Voucher Programs (Taken from IFDC Report Volume 36, No.1)
IFDC/USAID Project Helped Increase Sunflower Yields and Edible Oil Production in Kyrgystan(Taken from IFDC Report Volume 36, No.1)
USAID's Kyrgyzstan Follow-On Project Makes Early Progress(Taken from IFDC Report Volume 36, No.1)
IFDC/USAID Success Story: New Technologies Increase Profits (Taken from IFDC Report Volume 35, No.4)
An IFDC Core Competency: Agro-Dealer Development(Taken from IFDC Report Volume 35, No.3)
KAED II Project Hosts Agricultural Machinery Field Days (Taken from IFDC Report Volume 35, No.3)
USAID Mission Director Pleased with Pilot Project Results in Southern Kyrgyzstan (Taken from IFDC Report Volume 35, No.2 in English and French)
USAID Provides Urgent Agricultural Assistance to Kyrgyz Republic(Taken from IFDC Report Volume 35, No.2 in English and French)