Food Security - The Times Of Central Asia

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Kyrgyzstan Produces All Potatoes, Vegetables, Fruit, and Milk It Needs

According to government data, of the eight basic socially significant food products in Kyrgyzstan, domestic production meets the demand only for potatoes, vegetables, fruits, and milk. The demand for bread and bakery products, meat, sugar, eggs, and vegetable (cooking) oil is partly satisfied with imports. This was announced at the Council on Food Security and Nutrition meeting on October 3. From January to July 2024, the levels of self-sufficiency were 86.5% for bread and bakery products, 162.8% for potatoes, 159% for vegetables and fruits, 79.1% for meat, 116.3% for milk, 49.2% for sugar, 71.4% for eggs, and 48.5% for vegetable oil. Kyrgyzstan imports food from Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Uzbekistan, and China. At the meeting, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers - Minister of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry Bakyt Torobaev ordered additional measures to support agricultural production and incentivize local producers. Torobaev also announced the establishment of the Research Institute of Food Security and Nutrition, which will become a center of knowledge and innovation that will help improve the country's food security. The institute's creation will allow scientific research in agronomy and veterinary science and the development of recommendations for improving agricultural product production and processing technologies. It will also cooperate with international organizations and scientific institutions to implement the best global practices in food security.

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Malaysian Meraque Group to Invest in Uzbekistan’s Agriculture Sector

The Ministry of Agriculture of Uzbekistan has reported that a memorandum of understanding on agricultural technologies was signed between the leading Malaysian DroneTech company Meraque Group and the Ministry of Agriculture of Uzbekistan. This cooperation aims to improve the Uzbek agriculture sector, which includes 4.3 million hectares of cultivated land. Meraque intends to invest 20 million Malaysian ringgits ($4.78 million) in the next three years to establish a production enterprise that will create 1,000 jobs and serve 100,000 hectares of agriculture in Uzbekistan. The company is also looking to raise an additional 30 million ringgit ($7.17 million) for technological improvements in the region. The report reads: “A key part of the partnership will be policy development to create an ecosystem of drones for agriculture that will improve productivity and sustainability for the country’s 100,000 farmers. Meraque also focuses on training and knowledge sharing through training programs to support drone operations.” Razali Ismail, CEO of Meraque, said that this cooperation will sustain the development of the two countries' agriculture. The Times of Central Asia previously reported that in April of this year, the European Union presented €6 million ($6.4 million) to the Uzbek government to support the country’s National Food Security and Healthy Nutrition Strategy. In addition to the grant, the EU has also provided funds to help the Ministry of Agriculture carry out reforms. Further funding of €20 million ($21.4 million) will be issued later this year and next to support Uzbekistan’s National Agriculture Development Strategy for 2020-2030. Also, 3 million hectares of pastoral and agricultural lands have been degraded in Uzbekistan, and almost 2 million hectares have become saline. According to experts, by 2030, water resources in the region are in danger of decreasing by nearly 6% due to climate change. In response, Uzbekistan has developed a national program for adapting agriculture to climate change and mitigating its effects, which allocates more than $294 million in grants.

Inflation Food Security statistics Price

Kyrgyzstan Reports Price Increases for Consumer Goods

According to the National Statistical Committee of Kyrgyzstan, prices for meat, alcoholic beverages, and tobacco products have risen significantly. The largest price increases were observed in Bishkek and the Issyk-Kul region. “Prices for alcoholic beverages and tobacco products, food products, and tariffs for services rendered to the population have increased. At the same time, prices for food products and non-alcoholic beverages decreased,” Deputy Chairman of the Statistical Committee Baktybek Shokenov told a press conference in Bishkek. He said prices fell for fresh fruits and vegetables, cereals, raw milk, eggs, and vegetable oil in the first eight months of 2024. On the contrary, prices for meat, fish, potatoes, salt, rice, cottage cheese, flour of the highest grade, pasteurized milk, sugar, and butter increased significantly. Kyrgyz people have recently complained about a sharp rise in meat prices. Some reports say they have risen by 100 KGS ($1.2) per kilo in six months. The main reason for the sharp rise in meat prices is increased exports; because Kyrgyz meat prices abroad are higher than domestic prices, domestic prices are also rising. Most meat products are exported to neighboring Uzbekistan. Today, a kilogram of beef costs about 650-680 KGS ($8) in the bazaar, although half a year ago, it cost 550-600 KGS ($6-6.5).

hazardous waste FAO health security Environmental Awareness EU Cooperation Food Security Uzbekistan Agriculture

EU and FAO Aid Uzbekistan’s Management of Hazardous Chemicals

On 1 May, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of Uzbekistan held an inception workshop in Tashkent on technical assistance for the sound management of hazardous chemicals. The joint venture, implemented with financial support from the European Union, is designed to enhance the effectiveness of mechanisms and tools for the management of hazardous chemicals and related waste. A key goal cited by the EU Delegation to Uzbekistan, is to reduce the use of dangerous pesticides in agriculture, through the introduction and promotion of alternative methodologies amongst farmers. Aziz Abdukhakimov, Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change, stressed that by actively striving to reduce the use of highly hazardous pesticides, Uzbekistan aims to lower their adverse impact on the nation’s health and environment, in addition to making a significant contribution to UN Sustainable Development Goals. Regarding plans to address the issue, he announced, “We need to revise our inventory of contaminated areas of former agricultural airfields and other sites, the last of which, was carried out in the ‘90s when more than 450 former agricultural airfields were identified.” Praising the move, Wim Riepma, Head of Cooperation Section, EU Delegation to Uzbekistan, stated: "Our partnership with the Government of Uzbekistan and FAO exemplifies a collective commitment to protecting the environment and public health, by cleaning up legacy waste, by improving waste management, and by reducing pesticide waste production. Integrated pest management and awareness of health and environmental risks are key to a healthier, environment- friendly and economically viable agriculture sector.” Sherzod Umarov, Assistant FAO Representative in Uzbekistan, likewise emphasized, "The project implementation will enable an improved institutional capacity for sound pesticide management and better data on hazardous wastes in agriculture allowing development of a national waste management strategy. The project also aims to scale up green practices in the agricultural sector leading to reduced risks to farmers and consumers from the use of pesticides and to food production relying on less toxic pesticides and biological protection tools.”

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USAID for Cold Storage Facility in South Kyrgyzstan

The U.S. Embassy in Bishkek has announced that equipment valued at over $78,000 has been provided by the U.S. to Kyrgyz company SFN International LLC to open a modern cold storage facility in Jalal-Abad in southern Kyrgyzstan. Ynakbek Abylkasymov, head of SFN International LLC, reported that the new facility’s 1,100 metric ton storage capacity, will enable the company to purchase more produce from farmers and offer cleaning, sorting, packing, and storage services. Referring to benefits afforded to 700 households in the rural south, through improvements of food security, he stated, “The facility will help farmers to reduce waste, improve agriculture quality, and boost income by around 150%. In addition, we plan to create 200 new jobs and help businesses export high-quality fresh produce and dried fruits.” The equipment was provided by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) through its Agro Trade Activity and in tandem with other U.S.-supported cold storage facilities throughout Kyrgyzstan, will help reduce waste, extend the shelf- life of perishables, maintain market stability, and ensure a reliable and consistent supply of food throughout the year. Commenting on the success of projects to date, James Lykos, Director of USAID/Kyrgyzstan Economic Development Office, said, “Since 2018, the U.S. government has been partnering with Kyrgyz firms to establish over 20 new cold storage facilities in the Kyrgyz Republic’s southern regions. These facilities have a total storage capacity of 12,500 tons, more than doubling the storage capacity in the region, decreasing food spoilage by 40% and creating new income-generating activities for over 4,000 farmers.”

Food Security

WFP to Help Tajikistan Strengthen Food Security

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and the Government of Tajikistan on December 14th signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to deepen their cooperation on addressing food and nutrition security for 2023 to 2026, the UNDP website stated. The MoU was signed by Adham Musallam, the WFP Representative and Country Director in Tajikistan, and Sirojiddin Muhriddin, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Tajikistan. “The new CSP, valued at U$ 91 million, is designed to support the government’s priorities for achieving food security and broadening access to high-quality nutrition by 2030,” said WFP Representative Musallam. “Under the new CSP, the emphasis will be on supporting livelihoods, improving agricultural production, enhancing health, education, and nutrition, as well as strengthening national institutions and systems.” This MoU sets the foundation for the WFP Tajikistan Country Strategic Plan (CSP) 2023–2026, which harmonizes with the nation’s objectives in enhancing food and nutrition security, bolstering capacities, and offering technical aid to the government’s social protection initiatives.