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On 14 October the Organic Agriculture Forum “Production and marketing of organic products” took place in Jalalabad city to promote organic agriculture in Kyrgyzstan.

 

The Deputy Head of the Embassy of Switzerland in the Kyrgyz Republic, Danielle Meuwly Monteleone, the representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture and Melioration of Kyrgyzstan, of international organizations, of the Federation of Organic Movement, the local administration, and organic farmers participated in the forum. The participants of the event observed results of the project and visited several farm enterprises in the region which follow the principles of organic agriculture.

Organic farming is a new trend in Kyrgyz agriculture which rests on balancing economic profit with preservation of the natural environment and healthier life considerations. It emphasizes sustainable management of natural resources and does not allow using mineral fertilizers, synthetic pesticides, and genetically modified organisms.

This event has been organized within the project “Organic Cotton Production and Promotion of Trade in Kyrgyzstan”. The Government of Switzerland has been funding this project implemented by the Swiss NGO “Helvetas” since 2003 to promote organic farming in Kyrgyzstan and trade of organic products in international and domestic markets.

 

Within the framework of the project, two local organizations - the Agricultural Commodity and Service cooperative “Bio Farmer” and the Public Foundation “Bio Service” have been established to develop competence in organic farming. The project started with 38 farmers from Suzak, Bazar-Korgon and Nooken districts of the Jalalabad province. Today it has reached over 1000 organic farmers who produced more than 300 tons of cotton for export last year.  

Organic farmers wish to be known inside but also outside of the country with their organic products of high quality.