USAID Supports Agricultural Production in the South of the Kyrgyz Republic

Osh and Batken Oblasts, Kyrgyz Republic - November 13-15, 2012 - USAID conducted opening ceremonies for three Cold Storage facilities, a fruits and vegetables processor, and three apricot processing facilities. USAID provided in-kind assistance to businesses and agricultural cooperatives to support local economic development in the south of the Kyrgyz Republic.

November 13: Alimjanov PE (10am, Mirmakhmud municipality, 87 Oshskaya str., Alimjanov PE), the Erjigit Peasant Farm (11:30 am, Zulpuev municipality, International village, The Erjigit Peasant Farm), and the NUKOK Cooperative (1 pm, town of Nookat, the NUKOK Cooperative, 27/1 Lenin str.) held an opening ceremony for the receipt of refrigeration equipment designed for chilling and storing fresh fruits and vegetables. These storage facilities will increase the quality and length of availability of fresh products for consumers. Off-season fresh products will be available for export to Kazakhstan and Russia. Around 650 farmers are expected to be directly impacted by these three cold storage facilities.

November 14: Kok Chapan Cooperative (10 am, Karavan municipality, Kok Chapan Cooperative) and Asrankulov PE (13:30 pm, town of Kadamjay, Asrankulov PE) hosted an opening ceremony for apricot processing. Kok Chapan Cooperative received solar drying racks to improve postharvest handling of apricots. The support provided by USAID Local Development Program to the beneficiaries will increase the productivity of the enterprises and at the same time boost economic development in the region by creating new jobs. 

November 15: With the support from USAID, Mol Tushum Cooperative opened a new apricot processing facility in the city of Batken (12:30 pm, town of Batken, Razakova str., Mol Tushum Cooperative). The event was attended by officials from USAID, the Batken Oblast Governor’s office, and the Batken’s Mayor’s office. The cooperative received equipment for washing, drying and sorting apricots. The new processing line will improve the rate and quality of apricot production. The fruit can then be exported to Kazakhstan and Russia under the brand of local producers. About 200 farmers are expected to be directly impacted by this activity.

All USAID beneficiaries are expecting increased production quality and volume. Furthermore, local municipalities will benefit from increased tax income and new jobs created by these enterprises.

The opening ceremonies at agricultural enterprises were attended by media, members of local government, project officials, and representatives from USAID.

This program is one of many assistance projects supported by the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).  For more information about USAID, please visit our website at: http://kyrgyzstan.usaid.gov

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