This research revealed investment opportunity for this kind of activity.  For this reason, women of Baigonchok village together with Toktokan Malaeva, members of “Jyldyz” Self-Help Group Association of UNDP Poverty Reduction Programme, saw their interest in growing vegetables in greenhouses.  For example, the cost of vegetables in Kyrgyzstan within winter period increases by almost ten times.  If the entrepreneurs manage to arrange this type of business, they will be able to provide the consumer market of Uzgen, as well as Osh in future, with fresh vegetables within winter period.

Every month, three cafes and restaurants of Uzgen purchase about 2 tons of vegetables from Uzbekistan.  Unfortunately, production of seasonal delicacies grown in greenhouse conditions remains insufficient: no concept, no experience in construction and operation of greenhouses.  After collapse of the Soviet Union, greenhouse industry subsector was disrupted.  Uzbekistan is the main supplier of vegetables during autumn and winter period, where the production of season delicacies is well developed with availability of seed stocks and government grants for mineral fertilizers as well as of natural gas to heat the greenhouses.

Taking this into account, Bolshevik village people applied to the ADB-UNDP project with the project proposal for financing.  The initiative of the entrepreneurs was supported by the Head of Ak-Jar aiyl okmotu of Bolshevik village and a plot of land was given for construction of the first greenhouse.   Having considered an application, representatives of UNDP have conducted training on “Doing business” for beginning entrepreneurs, where they obtained knowledge on developing business plans.

During the survey it was revealed that the knowledge obtained was not enough so far to start this type of business.  Therefore, UNDP conducted an additional training for women on vegetable growing techniques.  Based on the results of the survey, the project organized a round table in Osh oblast with participation of all stakeholders involved in added value chain (agroshops, experts, “Jyldyz” SHGA, state administration, offtakers, the representatives of cafes and restaurants, including village animators from the other rayons of Osh oblast) where the draft plan of the greenhouse business was discussed.

Participants discussed issues of sales, provision with seed materials and conditions of delivering the final product to the market.  According to estimations of the experts, this business requires some of 300,000 KGS of investment, therefore, women of Bolshevik village approached the ADB-UNDP “Rural women empowerment in Central Asia” project to receive grant support.  This issue is under consideration at the moment.

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.