Osh region – A field day in Kyzyl-Sarai village, Kara-Suu District, introduced participants to climate-smart agricultural practices that can help maintain soil fertility, manage water efficiently and increase crop yields. The practices included the use of green manure crops.The event was organized under a two-year regional project implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to promote climate-smart agriculture in the Fergana Valley. Implemented through South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTC), the project is funded by the Russian Federation through the UN Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) and covers Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.The project strengthens farmers’ capacities, introduces agricultural innovations and supports the development of farmer field schools. Through this approach, agricultural producers test new methods under field conditions, compare results and adapt technologies to the specific needs of their farms.Green manure for healthy soilThe field day focused particularly on green manure crops. Farmers grow these crops not primarily for harvesting but to mow them and use their biomass as organic fertilizer.Specialists demonstrated the practice using white mustard and phacelia. These crops rapidly produce biomass. Their dense cover protects the soil surface from overheating and from wind and water erosion. Their root systems loosen the topsoil, improve water infiltration and aeration, and help retain nutrients.After mowing, farmers can incorporate the biomass shallowly into the soil or leave it on the surface as mulch. As the biomass decomposes, it adds organic matter and provides nutrients for soil microorganisms. This can improve soil structure, increase its water-holding capacity and gradually restore soil fertility.Mustard, like other oilseed crops such as rapeseed and oil radish, grows rapidly and forms a dense plant cover that can suppress weeds. However, mustard belongs to the cabbage family and should not be planted immediately before cabbage, radish or other related crops in a crop rotation.Phacelia is not related to most major vegetable crops and can therefore be included more flexibly in crop rotations. It rapidly produces biomass, suppresses weeds and attracts bees and other beneficial insects. For the best results, farmers should mow green manure crops at the beginning of flowering, before the seeds mature.Depending on the crop and growing conditions, the fresh biomass produced by green manure crops may be comparable in mass to an application of approximately 20–30 tonnes of manure per hectare.Specialists emphasize that green manure should not be considered a complete replacement for mineral fertilizers in all farming systems. The amount of biomass produced and the nutrients returned to the soildepend on the plant species, sowing density, moisture availability, mowing time and incorporation method. Farmers should therefore adapt the practice to local soil and climatic conditions and follow agronomic recommendations.Practical results for farmersDuring the field day, agricultural producers also learned about other elements of climate-smart agriculture, including improved irrigation management, soil-moisture conservation, the use of organic material, the selection of resilient crops, crop rotation and regular monitoring of crop health.According to project monitoring data, the combined application of these practices on demonstration plots helped participating farmers increase yields by more than 30 percent compared with the practices they had previously used. The practices also helped farmers use water and fertilizers more efficiently, improve soil condition and reduce production risks associated with drought and other climate-related factors.For 37-year-old farmer Akyl Nasir uulu, who grows tomatoes, the project provided an opportunity to test the practices on his farm. “Growing tomatoes requires constant attention to soil condition. After completing the farmer field school, I began using practices that help retain soil moisture after irrigation. In the first season, my tomato yield increased by more than one-third. Now I see that these practices can produce good results without significantly increasing production costs,” he said.Expanding the farmer field school systemUnder the FAO project in Kyrgyzstan, three demonstration plots have been established and six farmer field schools conducted in three pilot districts. A total of 94 agricultural producers, including 50 women, completed the training.Farmer field schools combine practical training with the joint analysis of results. Throughout the agricultural season, participants observe crop development, assess soil condition, compare agronomic practices and make decisions based on conditions in the field. Promoting green manure and other knowledge-based practices is particularly important in the Fergana Valley, where agriculture is increasingly affected by water scarcity, land degradation, rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns. Expanding access to affordable climate-resilient practices can help rural communities adapt to changing conditions, conserve natural resources and produce food sustainably.

I want to wish to the people of Kyrgyzstan a happy Independence Day. And at the same time to say that Kyrgyzstan plays today a very important role in the life of the UN and the life of the international community.  Kyrgyzstan was elected for the Security Council of the United Nations and will be in the center of global development and global efforts for peace, for security, for development. And that corresponds also to the extraordinary economic growth that this country is witnessing. My congratulations to the people of Kyrgyzstan and my wishes of a happy Independence Day.

 In May 2026, the Government and the UN jointly endorsed a roadmap for the new Cooperation Framework through the Strategic Coordination Committee, the main platform for providing strategic direction and coordinating cooperation between the two sides, co-chaired by the Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and the UN Resident Coordinator.Building on Lessons Learned Before looking ahead, the process looks back. An independent evaluation of the current 2023–2027 Cooperation Framework is underway, assessing what worked well, where challenges emerged, and why, so that these lessons can inform and strengthen the next Cooperation Framework.Building the evidence base At the center of the process is the Country Analysis a joint, evidence-based assessment that draws on data, research and analyses to map where Kyrgyzstan stands today. It is also a consultative process, bringing together perspectives and expertise from across the UN system, development partners and a wide range of stakeholders to build a shared understanding of the country’s development context, emerging trends and priorities.Listening widely The consultations bring together perspectives from a broad range of stakeholders, including national and local State authorities, civil society organizations, development partners, international financial institutions, the private sector, academia, youth, women’s and human rights organizations, persons with disabilities, community representatives and groups at risk of being left behind, helping ensure that the priorities that emerge reflect the needs and aspirations of the country and its people.From evidence to prioritiesThe evidence, consultations and forward-looking analysis then come together in a joint strategic prioritization process, where the Government and the UN identify pathways to advance Kyrgyzstan’s inclusive, socio-economic development, accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals and improve people’s lives.What's aheadFrom there, the drafting begins: turning shared priorities into a Cooperation Framework with concrete outcomes and a results framework that will guide joint efforts and strengthen accountability. The new UNSDCF is expected to be finalized in mid-2027, building on three decades of partnership between Kyrgyzstan and the United Nations and laying the foundation for the next phase of cooperation. Every step of the process is designed to ensure that this partnership is grounded in evidence, foresight and the priorities of the people it is meant to serve.
 

Their sustainable management is therefore vital for both people and the environment. As part of the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026, the Inter-Regional Summer School of Young Pastoralists took place in Kyrgyzstan. It brought together young pastoral leaders from across Asia and Africa to exchange knowledge, strengthen leadership skills, and promote sustainable pasture management.The week-long programme runs from 12 to 18 July in Bishkek, Suusamyr, Son-Kol, and Issyk-Kul. It was organized with the support of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), as the coordinator of the International Year, together with the International Land Coalition (ILC), National Land Coalition of Kyrgyzstan and Kyrgyz Association of Forest and Land Users (KAFLU).Young pastoralists from all over the world More than 50 young pastoralists from India, Indonesia, Kenya, Somalia, Sri Lanka, and other countries participated, alongside young representatives from Kyrgyzstan.A highlight of this year's summer school was the participation of eight young members of Community Landscape Management Groups from Ak-Talaa, Suzak, Toguz-Toro and Uzgen – four pilot districts of the FAO project ‘Carbon Sequestration through Climate Investments in Forests and Pastures in the Kyrgyz Republic’, supported by the Green Climate Fund (GCF).Selected through a competitive process, these young women and men represented local communities actively engaged in sustainable pasture management, monitoring and landscape restoration. Throughout the week, they strengthened their knowledge and leadership skills while exchanging practical experience with participants from different countries. They also explored innovative approaches to rangeland governance, climate adaptation and community-based natural resource management.“Healthy rangelands are essential for biodiversity conservation, food security, climate resilience and rural livelihoods,” said Oleg Guchgeldiyev, FAO Representative in Kyrgyzstan. “Strengthening the capacity of young pastoralists is therefore a key investment in the future of sustainable land management.”Combining traditional knowledge with digital toolsThe summer school combined classroom learning with extensive field-based activities. As part of the field component organized by FAO, participants visited pastoral communities around Son-Kol – the largest high-mountain freshwater lake in Kyrgyzstan. Located in the Inner Tien-Shan range at an elevation of 3 016 metres above sea level, the lake is framed by vast alpine rangelands that support rich biodiversity and provide essential grazing resources for local herders. Beyond its ecological significance, Son-Kol and its surrounding pastures lie at the heart of Kyrgyzstan's traditional nomadic culture. Each summer, pastoralists erect their traditional felt yurts along the lakeshore, maintaining centuries-old practices of transhumant livestock husbandry that have shaped life in the region for generations.Through direct interaction with local pastoralists, participants explored traditional pasture management practices, gained greater insight into the socio-economic realities of pastoral livelihoods, and learned how sustainable pasture management approaches are being promoted at community level.“Climate change is already reshaping rangelands and the lives of people who depend on them. What gives me hope is seeing young pastoralists, scientists and communities from different regions learn from one another and turn shared knowledge into practical solutions,” said Melau Makko, a 26-year-old climate scientist from Tanzania.As part of the field programme, members of the Community Landscape Management Groups facilitated a practical workshop on traditional pasture monitoring methods.Participants learned how local communities assess pasture conditions using simple but effective monitoring tools, including measuring tapes, grass-cutting scissors for biomass sampling and scales to measure vegetation weight in both fresh and dry conditions. They also practised recording field data and documenting the current state of pastures using tablets, including geo-referenced information and photographs.This hands-on session provided participants with a practical understanding of community-based monitoring approaches and demonstrated how local knowledge and field observations can complement digital monitoring technologies to support sustainable pasture management and informed decision-making.The field programme also showcased innovative approaches and digital solutions introduced through the project, including FAO's Open Foris technologies, GPS-based pasture monitoring, drone applications, and a mobile pasture monitoring laboratory equipped for use by specialists of the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry of the Kyrgyz Republic.Field activities at Son-Kol also provided an important opportunity to engage directly with local pasture users and communities. Through practical demonstrations and discussions, participants raised awareness of pasture degradation, sustainable grazing practices, climate change adaptation and improved pasture governance, while showcasing the work being implemented under the FAO-GCF project.“In Nepal, our highland pastures are degrading just like here. We lose grass cover every year, and herders have to move farther to find feed. It was eye-opening to see that Kyrgyz communities deal with the same issues and that we can learn from each other’s traditional practices,” said Sonam Choden from Nepal, emphasizing the striking similarities between the pastoral challenges in her homeland and those faced by Kyrgyz herders.Beyond pastures: understanding communities, livelihoods and traditions Pastures are not only important from an environmental perspective but also play a vital social and economic role for rural communities. Addressing the challenges facing pastures and livestock requires an understanding of the people whose lives and livelihoods are directly connected to these landscapes.To this end, beyond the technical programme, participants visited Son-Kol and Suusamyr, where they met local herders and their families, learned about traditional livestock production systems, and gained first-hand insight into the everyday lives of Kyrgyz pastoralists. By learning from local pastoralists, participants better understood the realities, needs and opportunities of pastoral communities, helping them develop more balanced and sustainable solutions that support both ecosystem health and the well-being of people who depend on these resources.Participants also observed and experienced activities such as milking livestock and horseback riding, while discovering locally produced dairy, meat and wool products that support rural livelihoods and traditional value chains. These experiences provided them with a deeper understanding of how pastoral systems function and how traditional knowledge, cultural practices and natural resource management are interconnected.The programme also included traditional nomadic games designed to strengthen leadership, teamwork and strategic thinking, while fostering intercultural exchange and mutual understanding among young pastoralists from different countries. Through these cultural and practical experiences, participants forged connections with local communities and gained a more comprehensive perspective on sustainable pastoral development.By connecting young leaders from different regions and empowering local communities, the summer school contributed to the objectives of the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists 2026, promoting knowledge exchange, innovation and international cooperation for the sustainable management of rangelands worldwide.