Key Takeaways:
- Project Launch: The FAO, in collaboration with the Kyrgyzstan Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry, initiated a project to enhance horticulture through innovative technologies.
- Focus on Local Production: The initiative aims to improve the competitiveness and quality of local horticultural products, particularly fruits, by establishing new nurseries and promoting better cultivation practices.
- Economic and Environmental Benefits: Enhanced horticultural practices are expected to deliver significant economic, social, and environmental benefits, aligning with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
- Capacity Building: The project includes comprehensive training for agronomists and farmers to ensure sustainable development and high-quality produce.
Introduction
In 2023, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), together with the Kyrgyzstan Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry, launched an ambitious project titled “Introduction and Promotion of Innovative Approaches for Adopting Best Technologies for Horticulture.” This initiative is set to revolutionize the horticultural sector in Kyrgyzstan by introducing advanced practices and innovative solutions to improve income and livelihoods through agriculture.
Project Objectives and Strategy
Enhancing Local Capabilities
The project specifically targets the enhancement of local nurseries and fruit producers to make Kyrgyzstani horticultural products more competitive and accessible. “Horticulture, fruit especially, is a labor-intensive sector. Improving the efficiency and sustainability of the sector will also deliver economic, social, and environmental benefits and contribute to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,” said Kuvatbek Bapaev, Technical Adviser and Acting Deputy Representative of FAO in Kyrgyzstan.
Development of Nurseries
To counter the challenges posed by the importation of often subpar planting materials, the project has established two new nurseries under the Kyrgyz Research Institute of Agriculture. These nurseries focus on cultivating rootstocks and seedlings of improved varieties of apples, cherries, pears, apricots, and berries, which are crucial for the development of high-quality, disease-resistant planting materials adapted to the local climate.
Training and Capacity Building
A significant component of the project is the training program designed for agronomists and farmers on key techniques of planting material production. This training, conducted by specialists from the Kyrgyz Research Institute of Agriculture, the Kyrgyz National Agrarian University, and the Kyrgyz-Turkish Manas University, covers various aspects from cultivation and inoculation techniques to the management of nurseries.
The first training phase attracted participants from the Sokuluk and Issyk-Ata regions, emphasizing the importance of using high-quality, zoned varieties of planting materials. “Our overall strategic goal is to increase yields and improve product quality. That is why innovative technologies and approaches are essential,” remarked Birjan Usubaliev, Director of the Kyrgyz Research Institute of Agriculture.
Practical Applications and Future Plans
Practical training sessions, or “field days,” are held in an intensive garden in the Moscow region of Chu oblast, where participants engage in hands-on activities such as drip irrigation, microclimate control, and fruit tree pruning. These sessions are integral to understanding and applying modern horticultural technologies effectively.
The project is set to train over 60 specialists who will lead the future development of the horticultural sector in Kyrgyzstan. This initiative not only aims to enhance the technical skills of local agronomists and farmers but also to provide them with the tools necessary to sustainably manage nurseries and improve the quality of agricultural produce amidst changing climatic conditions.
