Our People > Anton Chipegin

Anton Chipegin

Anton was born and grew up in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. He worked as a television correspondent, editor and TV presenter on the main television channels of the republic, such as NTS and MIR 24, and also as an economic observer at international news agencies and other media resources of Kyrgyzstan.

Articles

Farmers EAEU Agricultural Export Agriculture

Kyrgyz Farmers Unite Into Cooperatives To Maximize Export Potential

This year, 47 new agricultural cooperatives appeared in Kyrgyzstan — a total of 741 associations. Experts say that merging into large farms will allow farmers to increase yields and the export potential of their products. In 2023, Kyrgyzstan exported more than 850,000 tons of agricultural products — vegetables, fruits, milk, and meat. More than 40% of these exports went to the countries of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). However, to increase the export potential and the geography of supplies, it is necessary to move away from so-called "small-scale production." When farmers produce goods in small batches, experts believe the way out of this situation can be the cooperation of farms. "The issue of creating cooperatives is a sore point in Kyrgyzstan's farming sector. For over 10 years, we have been saying there is a problem — small-scale commodity production. According to official data, we have more than 460,000 farmers in the country, but, unfortunately, there is no volume of production," Rustam Baltalbayev, Executive Director of the Association of Agroindustrial Complex (AAC), told The Times of Central Asia. Baltabayev said an agricultural co-op is the most convenient form of doing business in agriculture. It solves the problem of wholesale supplies abroad. According to the AAK, agrarians in Kyrgyzstan's southern regions — producers of white rice and bell peppers — are actively joining agricultural cooperatives. "This mechanism, in my opinion, is the most profitable and convenient regarding agricultural development. It is only necessary to finalize the legal forms so that large holdings could join associations," he noted.

3 months ago

Ecology

Bishkek’s Iconic Elm and Poplar Trees Suffering From Beetle Infestation

The larvae of the longhorn beetle (Aeolesthes sarta), commonly known as the woodcutter beetle, are destroying green spaces in Kyrgyzstan's capital Bishkek. The beetle appeared in the city ten years ago, but biologists have explained that its population has recently increased to worrying levels. The situation is being aggravated by the shortage of irrigation water in Bishkek, a result of faulty irrigation facilities. Trees in the capital are beginning to dry out, and their immunity to the effects of larvae infestation is weakening. The longhorn beetle lays its larvae in the bark of a tree, and as it matures, it eats the tree from the inside. The larvae's favorite trees, the elm and poplar, are the most common trees in Bishkek. Unlike other pests, the beetle cannot be irradicated with chemical treatments. Infested spaces must be destroyed completely. The Bishkek Zelenkhoz municipal enterprise, responsible for maintaining the city's green spaces, has reported that 90% of all adult elm trees and half of all poplars in the capital have become infected with longhorn beetle larvae. "Trees with signs of infestation remain green, and do not die immediately. After a while, the top dries up, and then the entire trunk follows. The death process takes about five years," Yuri Borvinok, head of the laboratory for woody and bush plants at the Kyrgyz Academy of Sciences, told The Times of Central Asia. Kyrgyz authorities are having difficulty controlling pests because of current laws. In Kyrgyzstan's populated areas, chemical treatment of greenery is prohibited to prevent harm to people, and burning plant debris such as leaves and branches is also forbidden. "When we used to burn plants and foliage, these measures deterred the miner moth, woodcutter beetles, and other pests; today, nothing prevents the mass spread of beetles," Borvinok said. Municipal officials are looking for an effective method to control the beetles. "Some trees we cut down, take out of town, and burn there. In addition to the elm trees, the woodcutter attacks poplars. There is a danger that it will move to other trees. This beetle can not be taken down by anything. That's why we are planting new species, linden, maple, and acacia," said Zhanybek Zhumaliyev, head of the Zelenkhoz enterprise's planning department.

3 months ago

2024 Paris Olympic Games Sport

Uzbek Coach Honored for Supporting Kyrgyz Olympic Boxer

Uzbek coach Akmal Hasanov has been honored for helping Kyrgyz boxer Munarbek Seyitbek-uulu make it to the semi-finals in the Paris Olympics. According to the Kyrgyz Ministry of Culture, Munarbek's personal trainer, Beganas Sultanbaev was unable to attend the event due to the expiry of his international accreditation and because the head coach of the Kyrgyz national boxing team was likewise absent, the Uzbek specialist agreed to act as a second for a boxer from another country. Munarbek Seyitbek-uulu regularly trained at Uzbekistan's training camps and hence, was well acquainted with both fellow athletes and the Uzbek coach who in a statement, emphasized , "Munarbek trained with us and because he came to the Olympics alone, asked me to help. Since our countries have friendly relations, we were happy to help him. He made history and became the first Olympic boxing medalist in the history of Kyrgyzstan." In lieu of the magnanimous role played by the coach, honored cultural worker of Kyrgyzstan Assol Moldokmatova, together with the son of renowned Kyrgyz writer Chingiz Aitmatov, decided to award Akmal Khasanov with a medal "for humanism, tolerance, humanity and high level of people's diplomacy." "Today, I called Uzbek coach Akmal Hasanov in Paris to express my gratitude and to rejoice in the news that he has been honored with the medal of the great writer Chingiz Aitmatov," posted Moldokmatova on social media. " I thank Akmal for his humanity and brotherly attitude. We appreciate, respect, and admire you! You are worthy of all praise and awards!"

3 months ago

Security Rule of law Uranium

Uranium Lawsuit Against Kyrgyz Government To Be Considered in Washington, D.C.

A case against the Kyrgyz authorities will be heard in Washington, D.C. in November 2024. At the end of 2022, International Mining Company Invest Inc. - which is headquartered in the U.S. - filed a lawsuit in international arbitration, accusing the Kyrgyz authorities of illegally expropriating investments. The company estimated its losses at $63 million. In 2009, International Mining Company Invest Inc. received the right to use subsoil for geological exploration. In 2013, the country's authorities issued a license to the foreign company to search for uranium and other metals at one more site. International Mining Company Invest Inc. carried out work in three regions of the republic; however, in 2019, a moratorium on exploration and development of uranium and thorium deposits was introduced. The company lost its license and initiated arbitration proceedings at the International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes. Speaking at a press conference in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Justice Minister Ayaz Baetov said the case will be heard in international arbitration in Washington in November 2024. "The so-called uranium moratorium was the reason for this case's emergence. The case is now being considered. We have our arguments; they have theirs," the official stated. The previous authorities imposed a moratorium on the mining and exploration of uranium and thorium deposits; the new administration lifted the ban, but announced that Kyrgyz companies would develop the deposits.

3 months ago

Kyrgyz-Tajik Border

Kyrgyz Foreign Minister: Demarcation of Tajik Border Will Be Completed in October

At a press conference in Bishkek, Kyrgyz foreign minister Zheenbek Kulubaev said that 90% of the state border has already been demarcated. Kulubaev said that, as the border issue is very sensitive for Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, working groups from the two countries have been holding weekly meetings, alternating between Bishkek and Dushanbe. "We are still harmonizing several points. The heads of state have an understanding and instructed us to finalize the border issue shortly. I assume the issue will be resolved in the coming months,” Kulubaev said. The foreign minister emphasized that the negotiations will likely be completed by October. The length of the state border between the countries is 980 kilometers, and negotiations on delimitation have been going on since late 2002. Failure to settle this issue has periodically led to border conflicts, including with the use of firearms. Still, the border between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan remains closed. The reason behind the closure is the military clashes between border guards in 2022. At that time, heavy weapons were used, and dozens of people were killed.

3 months ago