KAED II Newsletter

The Kyrgyz Agro-Input Enterprise Development Project (KAED) financed by USAID and implemented by International Center for Soil Fertility and Agricultural Development(IFDC), has been operating since September 1, 2001 in Kyrgyzstan.

On September 1, 2008, USAID CAR awarded a new project called KAED II. The project addresses food security issues by increasing productivity of the wheat, maize and sunflower as the main staple food for Kyrgyzstan, and improving livestock feed and dairy cow care. The KAED II project has a developmental approach, educating and encouraging farmers in the North and South of Kyrgyzstan to adopt practices that will increase food production, animal health, and rural incomes.

The KAED II project is increasing the productivity in the wheat sector through bringing and distributing the new varieties of wheat, their registration and certification. Other activities include outreach to the farmers on advanced wheat cultivation practices through media outlets, establishment of demonstration fields and organizing training programs and demonstration days to educate farmers on wheat growing techniques and harvesting issues.

USAID allocated $ 300 000 to KAED II project for the purchase of 275 mt of high quality winter wheat seed through ICARDA as part of a program to address food security issues in Kyrgyzstan and help farmers to increase wheat production during the 2008–09 growing season. The wheat was distributed and sown on the area of about 1000 hectares. In fall 2009, 4, 000 mt of winter seed wheat was produced as a direct result of USAID intervention. For the fist time in 15 years Kyrgyzstan produced enough bread wheat to satisfy its domestic needs. This is mainly due to KAED II work with wheat producers country wide.

Following the April events in Kyrgyzstan KAED II in close cooperation with Ministry of Agriculture implemented successfully an assistance program addressing the immediate needs for agricultural inputs of approximately 10,000 farmers and families in the mountainous regions of Kyrgyzstan. Through these program farmers in the assisted areas received 100 mt of high quality spring wheat seed, 100 mt of barley seed, 40 mt of high yielding hybrid corn seed and 100 mt of fertilizer.

Kubat Kaseyinov, Ex-minister of Agriculture of the K.R. receives symbolic bags with seeds from Tatiana C. Gfoeller, US Ambassador to the Kyrgyz Republic

The KAED II project is improving livestock feed and dairy cow care to reduce loss of vital livestock in the winter months and to increase milk production.

The primary activity in this direction is to outreach the farmers on the feed and care of dairy cows through media outlets and establishment of demonstration farms. The other activities include introduction of genetic breeds with high yield and quality milk, organizing trainings for veterinarians on technical, management and entrepreneurial skills, educating farmers on useful farm management techniques and organizing cattle shows/auctions. The project has organized 3 cattle shows since 2008.

Cattle Show 2008

To help Kyrgyz farmers keep their cattle from starvation during the winter of 2008-2009, USAID launched an emergency program to provide farmers with livestock feed. The KAED project, distributed 1,200 tons of livestock feed through private sector market outlets at 40% subsidy. The feed supply saved the lives of 22,000 cows and helped 48,000 more cows maintain their body weight during the winter of 2008-2009. These 70,000 cows constitute 14% of total number dairy cattle in Kyrgyzstan.

KAED II Project works on increasing domestic production of corn and edible oil through higher yields and productivity of maize and sunflower.

KAED II Project jointly with Eurasia Group Kyrgyzstan implements Public-Private collaboration through the Global Development Alliance (GDA) between USAID and Eurasia Group LLC Switzerland. Companies represented by the Eurasia Group (Pioneer, John Deere, Du Pont and Monsanto) represent well-known world leaders in the supply of high-quality seed, crop protection products, and agricultural machinery.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the GDA partners on December 18, 2009. It is estimated that by the end of 2010 an additional 8,000 mt of corn for livestock fodder and 480 mt of processed edible sunflower oil will be added to Kyrgyzstan’s food balance at a reduced cost to the consumer and narrow the supply gap for both commodities. More importantly the GDA will set the stage for significant foreign and domestic investment by private sector in agriculture in Kyrgyzstan.

The agricultural machinery center worth of $ 2.0 Million established by Eurasia group with John Deer modern agricultural machinery to render services to Kyrgyz farmers is another significant contribution to the development of agriculture in Kyrgyzstan.

The GDA with the Eurasia group, creates an exceptional opportunity to rapidly introduce technologies which offer outstanding potential to improve the livelihoods of farmers in Kyrgyzstan.

Such opportunities are relatively rare where the private sector is willing to invest its own resources in emerging markets.

Markaz Joint Agro Initiative Project (MJAI) The KAED II project in cooperation with other USAID projects successfully implemented a pilot initiative directed on rehabilitation of 35 hectares of stony land in rural council “Markaz” (Kadamjay region, Batken oblast, Southern Kyrgyzstan).

The KAED II Project allocated $ 20 000 for restoration of soil fertility, implementing seeding and growing barley and alfalfa on 34 ha of land and establishing a demonstration field on fodder crops on 1 ha of land. In 2009 tenants received 1,221,500 KGS ($ 28,407) of income from 35 hectares of earlier unused stony arable land.

At the KAED II demo field in Markaz (USAID Study Tour, August 2009)

In the next 3-4 years tenants will get 800 alfalfa hay bales from a hectare or 28,000 bales from the total area and 1,960,000 KGS ($ 43,555) of income. The Markaz village council budget will thus be receiving approximately 40,500 KGS ($ 900) annually by renting out those plots of land to the farmers. USAID’s successful implementation of MJAI project will serve as a model for other rural municipalities to adopt the ways to increase agricultural production and farmers’ benefits.

Support of poultry producers The KAED II Project is working towards development of poultry industry in Kyrgyzstan through providing grants to the suppliers of inputs and services for the poultry industry.

The KAED II Project provided a grant worth $25 000 to the “Oasis Agro” Company for the purchase of high yielding soybean seed and cage system for growing out pullets. In addition, the KAED II Project is launching PR campaign to support local egg producers. This will help to increase the demand for the locally produced eggs in the South of Kyrgyzstan.

One of the beneficiary poultry farm in Uzgen, Southern Kyrgyzstan

The KAED II Project encourages domestic and international suppliers to introduce high quality agricultural inputs. The project has developed the Association of Agribusiness of Kyrgyzstan (AAK) “Jer Azygy” that promotes market-driven networking and information exchange among dealers and between farmers and dealers. In collaboration with AAK the project has opened 35 farm stores throughout the country and organized six international agricultural exhibitions “Silk Road Agro-Expo” in Osh. Opening of a farm store in Kara-Balta