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Kyrgyz Agro-Input Enterprise Development Project II
he Kyrgyz Agro-Input Enterprise Development Project (KAED) financed by the U.S. Agency for International Development (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, and improving livestock feed and dairy cow care. The KAED II project has a developmental approach, educating and encouraging farmers in the North and in the South of Kyrgyzstan to adopt practices that will increase food production, animal health, and rural incomes.
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he first program area of 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 in this area 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 wheat was produced as a direct result of USAID intervention.
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he second program area is directed on 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.
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he third program area is directed on increasing domestic production of corn, as the main component of livestock feed, and edible oil through higher yields and productivity of maize and sunflower driven by private investment in agriculture. This project area is directed on implementing Public-Private collaboration through the Global Development Alliance (GDA) between USAID and “Eurasia Group” LLC Switzerland representing companies: “Pioneer”, “John Deere”, “Du Pont” and “Monsanto”. The purpose of this collaboration is to increase agricultural productivity in Kyrgyzstan, specifically the production of sunflower oil and corn, thus enhancing overall food security in Kyrgyzstan. ompanies represented by the Eurasia Group represent well-known world leaders in the supply of high-quality seed, crop protection products, and agricultural machinery. The Participants of the GDA seek to share their respective strengths, experiences, technologies, methodology, and resources in order to achieve the goals set under the Alliance. The proposed intervention will contribute to break the low input-low output cycle by boosting yields for corn and sunflower and generating higher incomes for Kyrgyz farmers.
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