IFAD, Kyrgyz government develop new agricultural project

AKIPRESS.COM - The Mission of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) was fielded in Kyrgyzstan between 25 March 25 to 19 April 2019 with the objective to initiate the design of the new Resilient Pastoral Livelihoods Project in the field of agriculture.
The project development objective is to improve livestock and pasture health and productivity and enhanced climate resilience of pastoral communities.
The mission's activities in Kyrgyzstan included meetings with the Chairman of the Committee on Agricultural Policy, Water, Environment and Regional Development of the Parliament of the Kyrgyz Republic and the Vice Speaker; ministers and heads of agencies and public organizations, representatives of donor agencies.
The mission visited regions where it met with representatives of agro-enterprises, private veterinarians, chairmen of Pasture User Unions and other local community members.
In their meetings, the representatives of the mission identified a range of priorities in the field of agriculture, in the solution of which a new project could assist. After completing the work, the mission will submit its recommendations on the development of the design to the Government.
The project consists of three components: sustainable community-based integrated forest-rangeland ecosystem management will concentrate on behavioural change towards sustainable management of pasture and forest resources; strengthening the Food Safety System will support the development of safe agricultural products; Climate Resilient Value Chains for Women and Youth will support women and youth to become more involved in economic activity.
The project will be implemented during five years and has a national coverage. It is expected to be implemented at the end of 2020.
The total investment project costs are estimated at about US$ 60 million.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Food Industry and Melioration will have the overall responsibility for project management on behalf of the Government of Kyrgyz Republic.
In 1996, the Kyrgyz Republic joined IFAD, which has since financed five programmes, totaling US$72.5 million. From 1996-2011, IFAD co-financed three WB projects in the amount of US$20.4 million. IFAD financed ongoing projects: the Livestock and Market Development Programme (phases I and II) (2013-2019), the Access to Market Project (2018-2023). FAO Investment Center participated in the IFAD activity in the country.