Diversification and Marketing of Climate-Resilient Organic Agricultural and Forestry Products of the Kyrgyz Republic (DMSOP)

The DMSOP project aims to increase the incomes and food security of 7,500 smallholder farmers and forest users across five regions of the Kyrgyz Republic. The project supports the adoption of climate-resilient and organic production methods, the development of processing and storage, access to regional and export markets, and the strengthening of farmer organizations.

The project «Diversification and Marketing of Climate-Resilient Organic Agricultural and Forestry Products of the Kyrgyz Republic» — DMSOP — aims to increase the incomes and food security of smallholder farmers and forest users. The project will be implemented in the Batken, Jalal-Abad, Osh, Talas, and Issyk-Kul regions. The direct beneficiaries will be 7,500 smallholder farmers and forest users, including at least 30% women and 20% youth.

The project’s activities focus on three main areas.

Market development and value addition

The project will help local producers and agribusinesses improve the quality, packaging, certification, and promotion of agricultural and forestry products. Cooperation is planned with 8–10 agribusinesses interested in purchasing products from smallholder farmers and forest users. Within the project, an Export Promotion Center for organic and forest products, a local certification body, and two facilities for processing, packaging, and storing products will be established. The enterprises will receive advisory support on marketing, entrepreneurship, export procedures, and access to regional and international markets.

Climate-resilient production and food security

The project will support the introduction of drip irrigation, drought- and frost-resistant crop varieties, organic farming methods, sustainable forest management, greenhouses, solar dryers, and product processing equipment. The establishment of 50 demonstration enterprises led by women and youth is planned. They will operate in the production, processing, storage, and sale of agricultural, organic, and forest products. In addition, 200 vulnerable households will receive starter kits to create or develop household gardens. The kits may include planting material for nutritious crops, drip irrigation systems, small greenhouses, and equipment for processing and preserving products. To improve access to advisory services, a mobile application will be developed, through which farmers can obtain technical information and ask questions to specialists. The creation of two financial service centers in Bishkek and Jalal-Abad is also envisaged.

Development of clusters and farmer organizations

The project will support the creation of 4–6 commodity clusters bringing together producers, processors, export enterprises, service providers, and representatives of local authorities. KAFLU will assist farmer cooperatives and associations in developing institutional development plans, improving management, consolidating products, negotiating with buyers, and concluding contracts with agribusinesses.

The project’s implementation is expected to make it possible to:

• improve the food security of 25% of beneficiary households
• increase the average annual income of supported recipients by 10%
• increase yields by 15%
• increase the sales of partner agribusinesses by 15%
• expand their links to regional and export markets by 20%
• increase the participation of women and youth in rural entrepreneurship
• reduce post-harvest losses and improve the availability of nutritious products

The total cost of the project is USD 2.5 million. Funding is provided by GAFSP. The implementing organization is the Kyrgyz Association of Forest and Land Users, and the supervising organization is the International Fund for Agricultural Development.