SUCCESS STORY
Advanced Technologies Improve Farmers’ Livelihoods Imankulov was trained to apply a new no-till technology for land cultivation by using modern agricultural machinery. He also received improved seeds at a subsidized price and 100 kg of mineral fertilizer free of charge.
Kyrgyz farmer Kanybek Imankulov applies no-till technology on his farm in northern Kyrgyzstan.
Kanybek Imankulov, a father of four, owns 45 ha of non-irrigated land in the village of Luxembourg in northern Kyrgyzstan. He has been farming since 1995 and primarily grows wheat, but has also planted alfalfa, cereals and corn. However, he had difficulty finding proper tillage and harvesting equipment. “I would spend weeks searching for available equipment and never managed to plant the crops on time,” he said. In 2009, Imankulov started participating in the Global Development Alliance that was implemented jointly by USAID’s KAED project and the Eurasia Group.
The KAED project is promoting no-till technology, which helps preserve land from mechanical erosion and considerably decreases farmers’ expenditures on fuel, planting and other field operations. This environmentally friendly agro-technology increases crop productivity, enhances soil quality, reduces the use of fertilizers and increases water filtration into the soil. The technology ensures efficient land use and sustainable agricultural production. Because of its visible benefits, farmers are quickly embracing the technology. In 2009, no-till technology was applied on only 20 ha of farmland. In the 2010 planting season, approximately 4,750 ha throughout Kyrgyzstan were planted using the no-till approach. Analysis at the farm level indicates that this technology has proven to be very cost-effective for farmers. In 2011, Imankulov’s wheat yield was 3.5 mt/ha, significantly higher than his previous yields. “I was impressed with the high quality of the seeds I received. I was surprised that my production costs were reduced this year, and I managed to earn more. Thanks to KAED I have become a progressive farmer who uses the best agricultural machinery and I am learning farm management from the best agronomists in the country. I am motivated to learn more and apply these new technologies on my farm because I see that they make a real difference in my life and the life of my family.”
Thanks to KAED, I have become a progressive farmer who uses the best agricultural machinery and I am learning farm management from the best agronomists in the country. I am motivated to learn more and apply these new technologies on my farm because I see that they make a real difference in my life and the life of my family. – Kanybek Imankulov owner of Bay Farm in northern Kyrgyzstan IFDCreport 23 IFDCreport 23