The Ministry of Agriculture, Japan and WFP launch USD 4.5 million project to strengthen climate-resilient agricultural value chain in southern Kyrgyzstan

Agriculture remains the main source of livelihoods for rural communities in the country, yet the sector is increasingly affected by climate change, water stress, and limited access to modern climate-smart farming practices.

“This initiative supports our national priorities to boost agricultural productivity and strengthen agricultural cooperatives to ultimately build resilience among farmers,” said Mr. Bakyt Torobayev the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers - Minister of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry. “This partnership demonstrates the importance of coordinated efforts to support smallholder farmers nationwide and promote the integration of rural producers.”

With a contribution of USD 4.5 million from the Government of Japan, the project will support 17,000 smallholder farmers in Batken, Jalal-Abad, and Osh provinces, strengthening food security, nutrition, and livelihoods in the most climate vulnerable regions. By empowering smallholder farmers, especially women, through self-help groups/agricultural cooperatives, this initiative will boost productivity and incomes, improve sustainable water and land management, and strengthen market linkages in mountainous communities.

“Japan is pleased to support this initiative, which contributes to sustainable rural development in the Kyrgyz Republic,” said his excellency Mr. Hirano Ryuichi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to Kyrgyzstan. “Through this project, we aim to strengthen food systems and empower smallholder farmers to achieve long-term food security and economic stability.”

The project will be carried out with its technical support and oversight from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), contributing to the Ministry’s master plan for value chain development of berries and vegetables through the cluster-based approach.

“This new initiative builds on that foundation by strengthening linkages across the value chain, improving farmers’ productivity and incomes, and further advancing cluster development under the master plan.” said Mr. Nishigata, Chief Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) in the Kyrgyz Republic.

The initiative will provide farmers with high-quality seedlings, climate-resilient greenhouse infrastructure equipped with drip irrigation, water reservoirs, organic composting facilities, and small storage units to reduce post-harvest losses. Farmers will also receive training in climate-smart agricultural practices, post-harvest management, cooperative governance and financial management.

“The partnership with the Government of Japan and the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry reflects our shared commitment to supporting the implementation of the National Development Program of the Kyrgyz Republic until 2030 and the Food Security and Nutrition Program 2025-2030,” said Mr. Kojiro Nakai, WFP Representative and Country Director in the Kyrgyz Republic. “Given the recent water stresses and weather anomalies, by investing in climate s-smart solutions, we are helping smallholder farmers build sustainable livelihoods resilient to climate hazards”

Japan remains a longstanding and strategic partner of WFP in the Kyrgyz Republic. Building on previous support, including emergency assistance during the Batken crisis, market-oriented Public-Private Partnerships and promoting climate-smart agriculture methods, this new contribution will further strengthen the resilience of rural communities and support human capital development nationwide.

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The United Nations World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impact of climate change.

For more information please contact:

Almaz Tchoroev, WFP Kyrgyz Republic Mobile.: +996550577597, e-mail: almaz.tchoroev@wfp.or