The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Kyrgyzstan, in cooperation with the Training and Advisory Services Center (TES-Center) Foundation, is launching an initiative to strengthen the value chain of natural honey for export, according to a report on the official UNDP website.
The project will be funded by the Government of Finland and implemented in the Osh, Naryn, and Issyk-Kul regions. The authors of the initiative believe that Kyrgyzstan has significant potential for the production and export of honey. However, this requires a coordinated effort.
“We support beekeepers in increasing their productivity and competitiveness of their natural honey, taking into account the introduction of innovative and resource-efficient green technologies, which will stimulate [sustainable] exports and the creation of new green jobs. The program is also aimed at integrating small farmers into the process of value addition,” said Aisuluu Mambetkazieva, the UNDP Trade Facilitation Project Coordinator.
The project will support beekeepers and their apiaries, exporters, service operators, and the local authorities. Special attention will be paid to the inclusion of women and people with disabilities, as well as environmental sustainability in the sector.
The project is expected to generate at least 120 jobs, including those for women, in rural areas. The project will also provide capacity building for honey processing and export enterprises. Participants will be trained in the use of online marketplaces and e-commerce platforms.
