Economist Kubat Rakhimov talked to the guests of the program about the potential of organic agriculture in Kyrgyzstan.
On the air of radio Sputnik Kyrgyzstan, he said that the republic is a leader among the post-Soviet countries in organizing local communities in the production of organic products and a “system of guarantee participants” recognized by international organizations.
The Executive Director of the Federation of Organic Movement “BIO-KG” Iskenderbek Aidaraliev noted that the “system of guaranteed participants” is a mechanism through which farmers certify themselves within the group.
“For the organization of organic farming, that is, agricultural production without the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, the joint responsibility of farmers is very important. It is impossible to engage in organic agriculture on one hectare of land when a neighbor fertilizes his field with chemical fertilizers. Common efforts, coordination in growing the product and work with entire organic regions,” Aidaraliev said.
His colleague, Organic Aimak project coordinator Sultan Sarygulov said that organic agriculture is not so much a business as a lifestyle.
“Kyrgyzstan is indeed a unique country, there are many opportunities for organic agriculture. We were looking for potential “organic” aimaks on the ground. As a result, residents of nine villages in the Naryn and Talas regions accepted our concept. In those places there is still reverence for nature — respect to land and water. The cultivation and production of traditional products gives such small regions both the opportunity for trade and the potential for the development of eco-tourism,” Sarygulov emphasized.
According to him, Kyrgyzstan is unlikely to be able to compete with its neighbors in the industrial agriculture market, but in the future it can become a regional leader in the market of premium organic products.
