BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, April 2. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) have launched a joint initiative to improve farmland management and food security in Kyrgyzstan, Trend reports.
The project, titled Greening Kyrgyzstan’s Economy: Know More, Act Better, Enhance Results, aims to promote climate-smart agriculture through the use of Geographic Information System (GIS) technology.
This initiative will involve the EBRD Food and Agribusiness team and local aggregators like Kaindy-Kant, Kirbi, and Dan Agro, which process sugar beets, potatoes, and pulses, respectively. The project will benefit over 5,000 farmers who supply these aggregators.
GIS technology, hosted by the State Agency for Land Resources, will be used by various stakeholders, including the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Food Industry, farmers, and agricultural producers. It will help with crop identification, land-use efficiency, productivity estimations, and sustainable water management.
With support from the Ministry of Digital Development, the State Agency will also develop an app for farmers, making the GIS system more accessible. Additionally, the EBRD and FAO will offer a free e-extension app to provide advisory services.
This collaboration is expected to enhance food security, improve land management, and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, supporting Kyrgyzstan’s goal of a 16 percent emissions reduction by 2030. The project will also contribute to economic growth and strengthen agribusiness supply chains.