Kyrgyz farmers - The Times Of Central Asia

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Agriculture Farmland Kyrgyz farmers

Kyrgyz Government Urges Farmers and Migrants to Cultivate Underused Farmland

Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry is encouraging both domestic farmers and citizens working abroad to return and develop the country’s underutilized, low-productivity farmland. According to the ministry, Kyrgyzstan currently has 614,000 hectares of such land. The initiative invites citizens to convert these idle plots into productive agricultural zones, helping to green the country and generate income. Those interested will receive comprehensive support from both the ministry and local authorities. Assistance includes the installation of drip irrigation systems, access to preferential loans, supply of high-quality seedlings, and expert consultations. The ministry recommends planting fruit trees and berry shrubs that thrive in low-fertility, arid soil conditions. Suggested crops include apple, apricot, cherry, mulberry, currant, rosehip, sea buckthorn, hawthorn, as well as walnut and pistachio trees. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to stimulate agricultural production and exports in Kyrgyzstan, where more than half the population lives in rural areas.

Tourism Agritourism Ecotourism Kyrgyz farmers Naryn Region Ecotourism Training KATO

Kyrgyz Farmers in Naryn Region Receive Ecotourism Training

Farmers in Kyrgyzstan’s Naryn region are receiving specialized training to help them tap into the growing ecotourism market. Organized by the Kyrgyz Department of Tourism, the courses aim to equip rural communities with the skills and tools necessary to turn their agricultural operations into attractive destinations for eco-conscious travelers. During the sessions, local farmers were introduced to tourism opportunities specific to their region. They also learned how to register and promote their services on major digital platforms such as Booking.com, TripAdvisor, Google Maps, and 2GIS. A key focus of the training was on storytelling and digital marketing. Participants were taught how to showcase the uniqueness of their farms through reviews, videos, and visual content, tools seen as vital for attracting visitors in the digital age. Ecotourism, and agritourism in particular, has seen a notable rise in popularity among international visitors, especially from Europe. Kyrgyzstan’s rural areas attract travelers seeking an authentic glimpse into traditional life and rich local culture. The Kyrgyz Association of Tour Operators (KATO) notes that rural tourism is expanding steadily. In a recent report, the association highlighted the importance of proactive promotion. “The main thing is to position your business as a tourist attraction and actively promote it, attracting potential partners and customers. Income will depend on effort and imagination, because tourism is about selling new experiences and positive emotions,” KATO stated. With tourism continuing to diversify in Kyrgyzstan, initiatives like this are seen as essential to empowering local communities and fostering sustainable economic development in remote regions like Naryn.

Irrigation Water tariff reform Kyrgyz farmers

Kyrgyz Farmers to Pay Less for Irrigation Water Following Tariff Reform

Kyrgyzstan has revised its irrigation water tariffs for agricultural land following a comprehensive review by the Water Resources Service. The analysis revealed that farmers have been significantly overpaying for water due to intermediary pricing by the Water Users Association. According to Melis Raimkulov, Deputy Director of the Water Resources Service, farmers were paying as much as 2,000 KGS ($23) per hectare, four times the actual rate of 500 KGS ($5.50). “In fact, the tariff has not changed, but now we have formalized it and calculate it based on irrigation norms,” Raimkulov explained. “According to these norms, about 1,100 cubic meters of water are needed to irrigate one hectare of land during the irrigation season.” The Water Users Association, a private entity responsible for collecting irrigation payments, had been setting prices independently, often without transparency. Minister of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry, Bakyt Torobaev, criticized the association’s practices, noting that rates during the irrigation season ranged from 1,000 to 2,500 KGS ($11 to $29) per hectare, and in some cases, reached as high as 10,000-15,000 KGS ($115-$170). “But no one knows if enough water was provided,” Torobaev remarked. The Ministry of Agriculture estimates that the Water Users Association collected approximately 1.5 billion KGS ($17 million) per season, though the allocation of those funds remains unclear. In response, the government has transferred responsibility for fee collection to the Water Resources Service. The proceeds will now be directed toward improving the country’s water infrastructure. According to official data, spring sowing in Kyrgyzstan is nearly complete, with 80% of the planned area already cultivated.