Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan (November, 2009) – Potato seed stock will be created in Kabyk village of Chon-Alai rayon (Osh oblast). Poverty Reduction Programme allocated grant support amounting to 150,000 KGS, which were transferred at special ceremony in Chon-Alai rayon administration building. The funds were presented to representatives of the Self-Help Group Association (SHGA), who have been cooperating with the UNDP for many years and received a consulting support. As it is widely known, growing potato along with livestock breeding is the main source of income for people from remote villages. Based on market relations, a good profit depends on quality of product. Farmers of Chon-Alai rayon also faced this problem – there is a need in potato seeds, which provide high yield and quality product. However, lack of specialized potato seed farms and remoteness of the recommended seed farms “Nukok” in Nookat rayon and “Aikok” in Kadamjay rayon, forced local farmers to purchase the low quality seeds without any statement of their source of origin, generation and grading.
Taking these factors into account, SHGA of Kabyk village proposed to create their own seed farm; this initiative was supported by Poverty Reduction Programme.
According to the Project, received grant funds will be allocated for purchasing 4 tons of potato of Agave, Santa and Molo grades of the first reproduction from “Nukok” cooperative that is located in Nookat town of Osh oblast. SHGAs sow seeds for 1 hectare of area, and after gathering yield, sell seeds of a second reproduction to the farmers of 5 villages of Kashkasuu village administration at prices below market cost and available for poor population. After selling potato, the cost of seeds returns to seed stock in money terms with an allowance of 20%, which the seed stock will use when purchasing new seeds of potato for the next cycle.
According to specialists, this Project is successful since it was able to achieve results for the short period of time and help purchase quality seed material. For example, in a year, after receiving the first yield, seed potato reproduction related issue will be solved. The project wil provide 560 families of 5 villages of Kashka-Suu village administration and 100 families of Darootkorgon rayon center with the quality seeds. Moreover, the new seed stock integrates the farmers of Kashka-Suu village administration into one cooperative, and therefore, it ensures a sustainable development. In the future, all this can promote increasing of the of SHGAs capacity to solve socio-economic issues of the village people. Also, farmers will be able to level up a demand for the produced seeds by increasing seed stock backlog annually and the number of seed recipients.
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) – is the UN global system in the development sphere, addressing to the positive changes in peoples’ life, providing the countries-members an access to the sources of knowledge, experience and resources. Our activity is on the territory of 166 countries, contributing to searching for the global and national issues in the development sphere. During the potential development process, the countries use an experience and skills of the UNDP staff and its partners’ community.
Learn more from Aida Mambetkulova at 653287 or intern@prp.undp.kg.
